General Commission for Agricultural Research Expands Weather Station Network
The General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture, is working to expand and modernize its national network of weather stations. This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve geographical coverage and provide accurate, real-time data to support the development of the Syrian agricultural sector.
Monhal Al-Zoubi, Director of the Natural Resources Research Department at the Commission, stated that the current network consists of six weather stations distributed across water basins in the Homs, Aleppo, Hama, coastal, and Rif Dimashq governorates. These stations provide critical meteorological data, including temperature, rainfall rates, humidity, wind speed, and evaporation levels. Such indicators are essential for determining the specific water needs of various crops and designing precise, science-based irrigation programs.
The proposed expansion plan aims to incorporate the governorates of Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, Al-Hasakah, and Daraa. This expansion is designed to ensure broader geographical coverage that captures the diverse climatic conditions found across Syria’s agricultural regions. Commission officials emphasized the importance of upgrading existing technical systems and transitioning to modern electronic platforms to enhance the efficiency of data collection and processing. Implementation of these plans remains contingent upon securing the necessary funding, whether through the Commission’s own resources or via partnerships with international organizations that support scientific research.
In the context of international cooperation, the Commission has benefited from the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which provided a modern weather station for the Nashabiyeh Research Station in Rif Dimashq. Furthermore, the Commission is working to integrate its stations with the General Directorate of Meteorology to foster data exchange and coordinate research efforts.
This climatic data serves as a fundamental pillar for the rationalization of water use in agriculture, particularly within the framework of supplementary irrigation programs. The Commission is currently developing guidance tools and software to assist farmers in making precise decisions regarding irrigation operations. Additionally, the Commission is laying the foundation for an electronic farmer card, which will consolidate data regarding land ownership, area, and allocated water quantities. This system is expected to help regulate irrigation operations in accordance with approved water laws and the actual needs of crops.
In June 2025, the Commission launched a specialized program for calculating the actual water requirements of plants. The program utilizes an archive of historical climatic data for each region, cross-referencing it with soil characteristics, crop types, and planting and harvest dates. This initiative is a step toward achieving optimal use of available water resources and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
