Page 46 - FULL YEAR BOOK 2021

Syria

FAO HELPS REACTIVATE SYRIA’S WATER RESOURCES

MONITORING SYSTEM THROUGH TRAINING

FAO has designed a comprehensive More than 100 technical staff members Mike Robson stressed the importance
training programme for the technical from eight governorates will receive the of technical training to help technical staff
staff of the Water Resources Information training on improved water management, apply modern working methodologies
Center - General Commission for Water database management, remote sensing and tools. “Water information that relies
Resources in Syria. The programme and image processing, GIS, and surface on reliable data is key for sustainable
consists of 19 training courses to support and groundwater modelling. In addition, water resources management. Once the
the irrigation sector and agricultural trainees will follow two online courses on participants complete their training,
production in the country. To conduct the water accounting and water productivity they will be able to provide relevant
training, FAO has collaborated with the using advanced tools developed by FAO. stakeholders and decision makers
General Organization of Remote Sensing In November 2020, FAO and the with reliable information; and make
(GORS), the General Commission for Ministry of Water Resources launched the recommendations in the best interests
Scientific Agricultural Research and training entitled “Enhancing the capacity of the agriculture sector, especially
Damascus University. of Water Resources Information Center regarding water for irrigation,” Mr
staff on water database management, Robson added.
water information producing and FAO Syria is prioritizing the UNsorry
irrigation management.” The Deputy Sustainable Development Goal 6
Minister of Water Resource, Osama Al - Substantially increase water-use
Akhras, and FAO representative in Syria, efficiency across all sectors and ensure
Mike Robson, both attended. The Deputy sustainable withdrawals and supply of
Minister expressed appreciation for FAO freshwater to address water scarcity.
and GORS cooperation to improve water
resources management and to rebuild the Syria expects this
monitoring systems at the national level.
season’s citrus
Production (tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in Syria (2017-2018)
production to reach
Item 2017 Flag 2018 Flag
Almonds, with shell 54939 Im 61676 Im
Apples 353340 Im 352504 Im 788 thousand tons
Apricots 65582 Im 64586 Im
Bananas 153 Im 154 Im
Barley 780000 * 714730 Im The Ministry of Agriculture and
Cabbages and other brassicas 40179 Im 40024 Im Agrarian Reform of Syria has estimated
Carrots and turnips 19967 Im 20247 Im the country’s citrus production this
Cauliflowers and broccoli 23773 Im 23841 Im season at about 788 thousand tons.
Chick peas 52844 Im 52917 Im The director of the citrus office in
Cucumbers and gherkins 106848 Im 104397 Im the Ministry, Engineer Suhail Hamdan,
Dates 4157 Im 4224 Im said in a statement to SANA that the
Eggplants (aubergines) 129225 Im 128290 Im technical committees in the Ministry
Figs 43082 Im 43095 Im have estimated the production this
Fruit, fresh nes 84134 Im 84806 Im season at 788,095 tons. 25 percent of that
Garlic 12667 Im 15741 Im corresponds to the Tartous Governorate
Grapes 261260 Im 255694 Im and the other 75 percent to Lattakia,
Lemons and limes 179416 Im 184699 Im where the acreage has reached 41,892
Lentils 113237 Im 113380 Im hectares. There are about 13.8 million
Lettuce and chicory 53641 Im 53833 Im trees, out of which 13.2 million are
Maize 185780 Im 185145 Im currently productive.
Oats 143 Im 199 Im
Olives 871736 Im 895162 Im Hamdan said that the citrus production
Potatoes 614320 Im 618163 Im in Syria falls into four groups: Abu Surra,
Sorghum 1660 Im 1726 Im Valencia, Mordi and Jaffawi oranges,
Soybeans 300 F 441 Im which account for 59 percent of the total,
Sugar beet 758612 Im 665309 Im or about 464 thousand tons; mandarins,
Sugar cane 1 Im 1 Im with 23 percent of the total, or about 184
Tomatoes 685374 Im 670557 Im thousand tons; lemons, with 13 percent,
Watermelons 263463 Im 274310 Im or about 99 thousand tons, and limes,
Wheat 2200000 * 2334602 Im with 5 percent, or 41 thousand tons.
Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology Source: FAO Statistical Division 2019 He also said that this season’s
production is about 25 percent smaller
F: FAO estimate|| *,Unofficial figure
44 Arab Agriculture 2021

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