"FAO": Syria witnesses worst agricultural season in six decades this year

A widespread drought crisis is knocking on the doors of Syrians, warning of even more difficult ones. After vast areas of wheat fields were affected, authorities sound the alarm about the decline in local production and the need to resort to imports once again.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations confirmed that Syria is experiencing its worst agricultural season in six decades this year, amid an unprecedented drought threatening the food security of over 16 million people in the country.


FAO reported that nearly 2.5 million hectares of wheat fields were damaged due to harsh weather conditions, described as the "worst in about 60 years," as reported by the French Press Agency.

FAO's assistant representative in Syria, Haya Abu Assaf, stated that these conditions have affected about 75% of cultivated lands and natural pastures used in animal production.

Abu Assaf added that rain-fed wheat has been damaged by up to 95%, while irrigated wheat is expected to see a production decrease ranging from 30 to 40% compared to normal seasons.