Agriculture ministry outlines 'smart' support policy

Syrian Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr said the ministry will not provide direct cash subsidies but will pursue a 'smart support' approach based on in-kind loans through the Agricultural Cooperative Bank for inputs such as fertilizers and seeds. He described the policy as targeting productive agricultural institutions involved in seed and fertilizer provision, related services and input fees in coordination with the Ministry of Industry. The Cotton Office said ministry assistance is currently limited to discounted seed and a guaranteed purchase price intended to cover production costs and yield a profit margin for farmers.

Farmers in rural Aleppo told Enab Baladi they receive little or no government aid, reflecting a broader decline in the agricultural sector driven by war, displacement and shifts away from farming. The ministry has launched a National Strategy for Agriculture 2026–2030 and is seeking international support — including talks with the UN Resident Coordinator and a cooperation framework with the World Food Programme — to rehabilitate infrastructure, expand modern irrigation and strengthen rural livelihoods; the sector’s contribution to GDP has fallen to around 12% and employment to 15%, as reported by Enab Baladi