Raqqa Farmers Call for Immediate Payment for Wheat Deliveries
Farmers in Raqqa province are calling on the relevant authorities and the Agricultural Bank to accelerate the disbursement of payments owed for wheat deliveries. The delay in processing invoices has created a significant financial backlog that producers are now urging officials to resolve.
The timing of these appeals is critical for the region’s agricultural sector. As farmers begin preparations for the new planting season, the lack of liquidity has hindered their ability to cover essential operational costs. Growers report that they are unable to secure necessary production inputs, including seeds and fertilizers. Furthermore, the outstanding payments have made it difficult to settle debts related to harvesting and irrigation costs.
Ali al-Salama, a farmer from the countryside of Tell Abyad, stated that he delivered his crop at the beginning of July but has yet to receive payment. He emphasized that the full value of the crop should be paid in a single installment to ensure the continuity of agricultural operations and meet associated financial obligations. Similarly, Majd al-Hussein, a farmer from the village of Mustajad Naqib in the Raqqa countryside, noted that these delays have caused significant financial hardship, particularly amid fluctuating exchange rates and rising living and service costs.
Mustafa al-Ahmad, another local farmer, has called on authorities to secure the necessary funds from the Central Bank to the agricultural banks. He argued that such measures are vital to speed up the payment process and mitigate the financial crises facing the farming community. Mohammad al-Ibrahim, a farmer from Ain Issa, reported that although he delivered his crop in mid-June, he has only received one payment to date. He is urging officials to release the second and third installments immediately to settle the outstanding accounts.
These appeals carry added weight given the scale of production achieved by the province during the 2026 season. Raqqa produced approximately 430,000 tons of wheat delivered to official bodies, securing its position as the second-largest producer of this strategic commodity in Syria. Farmers maintain that the stability of the agricultural sector and the availability of supplies for the next season depend directly on the prompt resolution of payment issues and the provision of necessary support to maintain the momentum of local production.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
