Syrian agricultural authorities and international experts are promoting low-cost livestock feed preservation techniques as climate change, economic pressure and regional instability continue to strain the country’s farming sector.  At a research station outside Damascus this week, livestock breeders and agricultural specialists gathered to demonstrate silage and hay production methods designed to reduce dependence on increasingly expensive feed supplies and improve resilience during drought periods.  The event, held at the Deir al-Hajar Research Station for Shami cattle, brought together experts from Syria’s General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD).  Officials said rising transport and energy costs, combined with disruptions to regional trade and supply chains linked to ongoing conflicts in the region, have increased pressure on Syria’s livestock industry and made imported feed more difficult and costly to secure.  Syria’s agricultural sector has also been weakened by more than a decade of war, which damaged infrastructure, reduced grazing land and increased operational costs for farmers and breeders.  Muhammad Baghdadi, head of the commission’s nutrition department, said silage technology allows farmers to preserve green fodder in oxygen-free storage systems, where natural fermentation prevents spoilage and extends storage life.  He said the method can be used with maize, legumes, beet crops and food-processing by-products, helping farmers utilize seasonal surpluses and reduce waste at a time of rising feed prices.  Baghdadi said dairy cattle consume around 30 kilograms of silage per day, while sheep and goats may require up to 7 kilograms depending on production needs.  Researchers also highlighted hay production methods that reduce moisture content in green fodder to enable long-term storage during periods of scarcity.  Agricultural experts warned that climate change and regional economic volatility are increasing pressure on food security and livestock production across the Middle East, driving demand for practical and affordable solutions for small-scale farmers.  Osama al-Abdullah, Director General of the research commission, said closer cooperation between researchers and breeders was necessary to sustain livestock production under increasingly difficult environmental and economic conditions.  Experts from ACSAD said coordination between scientific institutions and farmers would play a critical role in narrowing Syria’s feed gap and strengthening the resilience of the livestock sector against future shocks. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Syrian Arab News Agency