Syria announces agricultural investment plans and poultry industry partnership

Syria’s Minister of Agriculture, Basil Al-Suwaydan, has announced several initiatives to modernize the nation's agricultural sector through private sector partnerships and international cooperation. During the 63rd Damascus International Fair, the Minister highlighted plans to increase investments in plant and animal production, as well as the supply of essential equipment such as modern irrigation systems, tractors, fertilizers, and pesticides.

To support farmers, the Ministry is offering interest-free loans for wheat production to cover seeds, fertilizers, and fuel, with plans to expand this to other crops. Additionally, the Ministry is exploring installment-based financing through the private sector for solar energy systems and irrigation technology. Efforts are also underway to upgrade agricultural laboratories to ensure product quality meets international export standards.

In a significant move for the livestock sector, the Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Sahli Group and the Al-Droubi Group. This agreement aims to develop Syria’s national poultry industry and its associated value chains. The partnership will involve technical and operational assessments of existing facilities to increase production capacity, including the development of egg production complexes in Hama, broiler projects in Homs and Al-Ramdan, and food industry complexes in Marj Al-Sultan. The goal is to enhance biosecurity, adopt modern technology, and expand the export of Syrian poultry to regional and international markets.