Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan announced on Sunday that a series of agricultural projects will soon be launched in Idlib province, including a sheep research center, upgraded olive oil quality testing facilities, expanded land restoration works , and support for irrigation and livestock development.  During a meeting with Idlib Governor Mohammad Abdul Rahman and representatives of the province’s agricultural sector, al-Suwaidan discussed the challenges facing agriculture and ways to boost production and strengthen rural development.  Following the meeting, the minister toured the provincial Directorate of Agriculture and the Olive Office, where he reviewed plans to support olive cultivation, one of Idlib’s key agricultural sectors. He also visited olive groves in the Maarat Misrin area, met with farmers to discuss production and marketing challenges, and inspected land restoration works in Saraqib aimed at returning farmland affected by years of conflict to agricultural production.  Speaking to SANA, al-Suwaidan reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring access to essential agricultural inputs. He said the Olive Office had reopened after the rehabilitation of its headquarters and would soon be equipped with a laboratory specializing in olive oil quality analysis and testing.  The minister also announced plans to establish a sheep research center in the al-Rouj area in cooperation with the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), describing the project as part of broader efforts to strengthen livestock development.Al-Suwaidan said the ministry was expanding efforts to remove earthen military berms that have left large areas of farmland unusable, supplying the necessary machinery to accelerate the work. He added that additional embankments would be constructed in the al-Siha area as a precaution against winter flooding.  Mohammad Zakaria Qawas, director of the Olive Office in Syria, said the reopening of the office would strengthen field services and improve both the quantity and quality of olive production. He added that plans include establishing certified olive nurseries, equipping the new laboratory to obtain internationally recognized testing certification, cooperating with the private sector to develop olive oil storage facilities, and providing farmers with modern cultivation techniques.The minister’s visit is part of the government’s broader plan to revive productive sectors across Syria and support agriculture, one of the country’s key economic pillars. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Syrian Arab News Agency