FAO Project (GCP/SYR/006/ITA)

مشروع الفاو

Main Publications of the Project

Syrian Agriculture at the Crossroads

, one of the main analytical outcomes of the Project. Syrian agricultural policies are reviewed comprehensively, using a set of studies conducted over the years by a panel of international and national experts of the Project. The book analyzes the conditions that have permitted in Syria substantial achievements in terms of food security and inter-sectoral equity; it underlines the challenge of a sustainable use of natural resources in consideration of the fast growing population. Part One of the publication illustrates the role of agriculture in the Syrian economy, hinting at the perspectives for the Association Agreement with the EU. Part Two analyses the economics of the major sub sectors in agriculture, including the "strategic crops" under Government planning. Part Three examines agricultural production factors and inputs: land tenure and labor relations, irrigation water policies, agricultural credit system and inputs markets.

Available from the FAO Document Depository: Syrian Agriculture at the Crossroads

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Accession to the WTO: Procedures, Issues and Lessons for Syria

is a study conducted by an international consultant for the Project. It shows that Syria may not have to make major changes to its existing agro-food policies, programs, and institutions as a result of accessing the WTO, but rather to adjust some of them. Agricultural policy adjustments to comply with WTO regulations will be few and limited to specific areas. Furthermore, the changes required are generally in line with the direction of Syria's steady economic reform program towards a more trade-oriented, open economy, which has been followed for many years.

Download (all as PDF): Part One (491 KB) and Part Two (409 KB)

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Comparative Advantages:

A national economic activity has a comparative advantage when it can successfully compete with sources of supply from the international markets, without benefiting from any specific support from the rest of the economy in the form of transfers of resources. The study, implemented by a team of NAPC experts under the guidance of researchers from CIRAD contracted by the Project, analyses the comparative advantages of commodity chains in the sub-sectors of cotton, wheat, tomato, fresh orange, cow milk, beef meat, and olive oil.

Download (all as PDF): (English) Part One (449 KB), Part Two (261 KB), Part Three (471 KB), Part Four (332 KB), Part Five (476 KB). (Arabic) Part One (435 KB), Part Two (445 KB), Part Three (522 KB), Part Four (520 KB), Part Five (586 KB).

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Farming Systems Study:

A NAPC team under the guidance of a Project's international consultant identified in Syria six major farming systems (Coastal Intensive Irrigated; Hilly and Mountainous; Northern and North-eastern Plains; Al Ghab and the Central Rain-fed and Irrigated Plains; Southern Semi-arid Mountains and Plains; and Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral). Each farming system is characterized by its natural conditions, market integration and social evolution leading to its differentiation and specialization in production, with an uneven capacity at withstanding economic transformation.

Download (all PDF): (English) Part One (298 KB), Part Two (343 KB), Part Three (229 KB), Part Four (490 KB). (Arabic) Part One (433 KB), Part Two (495 KB), Part Three (484 KB), Part Four (482 KB), Part Five (254 KB).

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SOFAS: The State of Food and Agriculture in the Syrian Arab Republic

is published every other year. Besides offering an overview of the geographical features of the country's agriculture, this report points out the crucial role of the agricultural sector in the Syrian economy. It highlights agricultural issues such as land tenure, mechanization, irrigation, animal production and agricultural inputs. With regard to environment, water is identified as the critical factor in agricultural production. Agricultural output (crop and animal) is then analyzed by governorate in terms of area, yield, and production, with hints on the structure of the food companies operating in Syria both in the public and private sector.

Download as PDF: SOFAS 2002 (English), complete version (453 KB) / SOFAS 2002 (Arabic) Part One (502 KB), Part Two (457 KB), Part Three (420 KB), Part Four (306 KB).

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SAT: The Syrian Agricultural Trade

is published every year, draws an updated picture of world and Syrian agricultural trade policies and trends. Designed to be an instrument for researchers and scholars, the report intends also to provide Syrian policy makers with background information on current challenges being faced by the country on its path towards global market integration. It offers a detailed description of Syrian agricultural trade flows, top commercial partners, and traded products. Agricultural trade performance is assessed through selected indicators such as revealed comparative advantages and relative unit values. Furthermore, it offers an overview of relevant international negotiations and bilateral and multilateral trade agreements already concluded or presently underway.

Download as PDF:

SAT 2004 (Arabic) Part One (417 KB), Part Two (502 KB), Part Three (430 KB), Part Four (435 KB) / (English) Part One (529 KB), Part Two (457 KB);

SAT 2003 (Arabic) Part One (440 KB), Part Two (452 KB), Part Three (297 KB), Part Four (454 KB) / (English) Part One (573 KB), Part Two (363 KB), Part Three (392 KB);

SAT 2002 (Arabic) Part One (493 KB), Part Two (359 KB), Part Three (463 KB) / (English) Part One (505 KB), Part Two (486 KB).

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Policy Studies:

The Project has produced a rich set of policy studies comprising commodity chain specific studies (such as citrus, olive and olive oil, or livestock), studies of sector-wide issues (such as agricultural credit, marketing and processing, water and irrigation), and studies investigating wider issues of relevance for agricultural policies (environment, taxation of agricultural sector, trade agreements).

Download files (all PDF, in English):

01-Olive Oil (August 1999, 476 KB);

02-Citrus (October 2000) Part One (439 KB) and Part Two (568 KB);

03-Livestock (October 2000) Part One (505 KB), Part Two (479 KB);

04-Marketing Part One (589 KB) and Part Two (511 KB) (October 2000);

05-Food Security (December 2000, 475 KB);

06-Strategic Crops (April 2001) Part One (527 KB), Part Two (413 KB);

07-Inputs (December 2000) Part One (480 KB) and Part Two (397 KB);

08-Land Tenure (March 2001, 382 KB);

09-EU (October 2001) Part One (494 KB), Part Two (499 KB), Part Three (483 KB)

10-Investment (October 2001) Part One (586 KB) and Part Two (556 KB);

11-Water (August 2001) Part One (568 KB) and Part Two (538 KB),

12-Taxation (December 2001) Part One (418 KB) and Part Two (473 KB);

13-Credit (October 2001, 562 KB);

14-Environment (June 2001) Part One (568 KB) and Part Two (578 KB)

15-Strategy Framework (February 2000, 430 KB);

16a-Stategy Background Paper Part One (520 KB) and Part Two (543 KB);

16b-Agricultural Development Strategy for Syria (December 200) Part One (448 KB) and Part Two (409 KB)

17-Export Promotion (May 2003) Part One (470 KB) and Part Two (538 KB)

18-Agricultural Subsidies (October 2004) Part One (407 KB) and Part Two (483 KB)

19-Syrian Accession to the WTO (December 2004) Part One (427 KB) and Part Two (437 KB)

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