Land reclamation through the removal of surface and subsurface rocks and stones by heavy equipment, known as ‘de-rocking’, was the main intervention funded in five of the seven projects. IFAD’s objective was to assist the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic in enabling poor rural people to improve their incomes and living conditions. The organization helped poor farmers develop rainfed agriculture and manage natural resources more effectively, and promoted off-farm income-generating activities. Investments were directed towards expanding cultivable areas and increasing production through land reclamation, particularly through the de-rocking of areas with high potential for agriculture. Complementary activities such as adaptive research, extension and marketing were supported to improve productivity and increase farmers’ earnings. Interventions for rural women also addressed the need to increase household incomes.