Deir ez-Zor production back on track

Agriculture in the Deir ez-Zor region has improved and production has increased.

After the liberation of the region of Deir ez-Zor from the DAESH mercenaries by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters, thousands of refugees were able to return to their homes.

The Democratic Civil Council has carried out many works to provide services to the region and respond to the daily and agriculture needs of its citizens.

Thanks to the work of the Council, farmers were able to ensure better products in agriculture and thus producing more goods.

After the area was cleared from the mercenaries, some 70 percent of displaced people was able to return to their homes and retake their jobs.

In this context, the Agriculture Committee worked to re-establish 17 agriculture associations. The Agriculture Committee meets the needs of the farmers through the support of these organised associations.

Agricultural production did not exceed 10 percent in the region of Deir ez-Zor.

The main reason for this was the increase in diesel prices and the inability to find agricultural materials. For these reasons, farmers have not been able to cultivate fields for years, causing the agriculture of the region to fall behind.

But now things have changed.

Previously fuel was 45 thousand Syrian liras, and now it is sold at 10-15 thousand. In addition to this, roads throughout Syrian territories and Euphrates were opened.

This made it very convenient for the farmers to work and to respond to their needs. The Deir ez-Zor Civil Council is working hard and is trying to meet the needs of the farmers despite their limited resources.

Many products are being produced in the region

Most of the people of Deir ez-Zor are living here because it is now good and favourable to cultivate the land. Harvests of wheat, barley, cotton, corn and summer vegetables are the most common.

The products are enough for the region, and the extra production is sent to the other regions.

Farmers told that they are facing challenges and name for example the lack of pesticides.

The farmers asked the authorities to repair the wheat and cotton warehouses.

Zekeriya al-Essaf from the village of Sewa said: "The region has improved after being liberated from the mercenaries. During the DAESH period we lost a lot in terms of agriculture”.

Co-Chair of the Agriculture Committee and Agricultural Engineer Shêrîn Mesud said: "The situation of agriculture in the region was very bad. The percentage of cultivated areas did not exceed 10 percent. But now farmers are back to work and production has increased. Our committee reactivated 17 agriculture associations and at the same time we provided 40 tons of fertilizer for the farmers, at a price below the market value”.

Deir ez-Zor is known as 'ready-made meal package' in Syria with because of its oil, its arable land and animal husbandry.

Deir Ez-zor Civic Council works in the eastern and western regions of the city of Deir Ez-zor which have been liberated by the SDF fighters.