The Syrian Minister of Agriculture and the Charge d'Affaires of the Qatari Embassy discuss enhancing agricultural cooperation.

Syrian Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Amjad Badr, discussed with Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Acting Charge d'Affaires of the Qatari Embassy in Syria, ways to enhance support for the agricultural sector in Syria and study mechanisms to overcome obstacles to improve its performance.

This took place during a meeting held today, Tuesday, May 20, at the Ministry's headquarters in Damascus, where both parties emphasized the importance of intensifying joint meetings and the possibility of forming a joint technical committee comprising experts from various fields to assess the Syrian agricultural situation and study the country's needs to enhance agricultural infrastructure.

Minister Badr highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and opening up investment prospects between Syria and Qatar, expressing appreciation for Qatari efforts in supporting Syria since the beginning of the crisis.

He also addressed the challenges facing the agricultural sector, stating: "The war waged by the former regime has negatively impacted agricultural infrastructure, including production institutions, irrigation networks, and silos, in addition to the shortage of equipment and necessary technologies to enhance agricultural production. Livestock has also suffered significant losses due to feed shortages."

He added that drought waves have caused significant damage to rainfed crops, affecting production rates, explaining that the Ministry is working on securing agricultural production requirements, utilizing available land in line with the agricultural plan, and providing support to farmers within the current capabilities.

The Agriculture Minister also emphasized the importance of developing modern irrigation networks to optimize water consumption, regulate its sources, and achieve positive results, especially in areas suffering from water scarcity.

On his part, the Acting Charge d'Affaires of the Qatari Embassy expressed his country's readiness to enhance cooperation with Syria, intensify joint efforts to meet the needs of the Syrian agricultural sector, and contribute to its reconstruction after years of war.