Review of the Syrian Agriculture and Future Prospects for Reconstruction

Abstract

Agriculture played and continues to play an important role in the Syrian economy, both in terms of the gross domestic product and employment. The consequences of the seventh-year crisis continue to affect the agricultural sector. The lack of inputs and high prices, coupled with the difficulty of harvesting and marketing crops, are among the most important agricultural issues that resulted from the crisis. Before the crisis, the agricultural sector suffered from many problems resulting from the government's neglect of it, represented by the weakness of governmental investments in agriculture, in addition, the complex administrative problems of management and organization, which led to a decline in productivity and efficiency. After the outbreak of the crisis, a large number of people were forced to leave the rural areas, which led to a very significant deterioration in agriculture and production. Syria has imported most types of important crops, such as wheat, from abroad to cover the needs of the local market, and this will be discussed in detail in this article. Therefore, this article shows the need for serious efforts to restore the agricultural sector which is the most important element in the Syrian economy and sustainable food and nutrition security for the urban and rural areas. Even though the crisis is not over, the conditions for investing in the recovery of the sector are present in many areas of the country. Such investment will not only reduce the need for humanitarian assistance but will also reduce migration and encourage the return of migrants.