Syria’s farmers battle food insecurity, invasive species amid fragile recovery
Conflict, damaged irrigation, and giant reed infestation deepen agricultural crisis as aid groups work to restore livelihoods
ALEPPO, Syria (MNTV) — Fourteen years of conflict have devastated Syria’s agricultural heartland, leaving millions food insecure and forcing farmers to abandon their lands as production costs soar and ecosystems collapse under the strain of war and neglect.
Once a net agricultural exporter, Syria’s farming sector now struggles to sustain even local communities.
The Food Security Cluster estimates that 9.1 million Syrians will face food insecurity this year, placing the country among the world’s six most food-insecure nations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization previously estimated war-related agricultural losses at over $16 billion after just six years of conflict, a figure that has since grown as the crisis persists.
Experts say that beyond the economic fallout, an environmental disaster has unfolded in key farming regions such as Aleppo, Hama, and Raqqa.
An invasive plant known as giant reed has spread rapidly across farmland, blocking irrigation channels, increasing soil salinity, and choking native vegetation essential for crop pollination, rendering farmland unusable.
Humanitarian organizations have stepped in to restore agricultural capacity and prevent further deterioration.
Action Against Hunger, supported by the Syria Humanitarian Fund, recently launched an initiative in Aleppo Governorate to rehabilitate damaged irrigation systems, lower input costs for farmers, and promote sustainable farming methods.
The program’s first phase focused on clearing clogged drainage channels overrun by giant reed, enabling water to flow back into the fields and revitalize salinized soil.
Instead of discarding the removed plants, the organization found a novel use for them — converting giant reed into silage, compost, and animal fodder, providing low-cost alternatives to imported agricultural inputs.
To promote lasting recovery, the initiative also established Farm Field Schools to train local farmers in agroecological techniques and sustainable production.
Participants received tools such as grinders and presses to process the giant reed into organic fertilizer and feed, reducing dependency on expensive imports.
According to Action Against Hunger, farmers have already produced several tons of compost and silage through these community-led efforts.
The long-term goal is to build a self-reliant farming network that can withstand future shocks. Aid officials say that by empowering local farmers to lead the recovery process, the program is fostering stability and economic resilience in some of Syria’s most vulnerable rural communities.
According to the United Nations Development Programme, Syria’s economy could take more than five decades to return to pre-war GDP levels at current growth rates.
However, development experts believe that community-based initiatives like Farm Field Schools could accelerate progress and reduce reliance on humanitarian assistance over time.
As Syria’s recovery remains fragile, efforts to revive its agriculture are viewed as vital to preventing further displacement and hunger. With international support and local innovation, farmers are beginning to rebuild — turning a legacy of destruction into one of cautious renewal.
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