Syria Expands Greenhouse Farming with 175,000 Units
The number of active greenhouses in Syria has reached 175,522, marking a strategic effort to enhance agricultural production and ensure a consistent supply of crops outside of traditional growing seasons. These protected agricultural projects serve a dual purpose: meeting the needs of the domestic market to maintain price stability and supporting export opportunities to generate foreign currency for the national economy.
The Director of Plant Production at the Ministry of Agriculture noted that Tartus province leads the sector, hosting 143,763 greenhouses, which accounts for 82 percent of the national total. Latakia province follows in second place with 15,719 greenhouses (9 percent), and Homs ranks third with 13,706 units (8 percent). The remaining 1 percent of greenhouse operations are distributed across other Syrian provinces.
In terms of crop diversity, tomatoes dominate the production landscape, occupying 87,121 greenhouses, or approximately 50 percent of the total protected land area. Strawberries rank second with 18,765 units (11 percent), followed by cucumbers with 17,701 units (10 percent). Eggplants and peppers are also significant, each accounting for 9 percent of the total with 16,391 and 15,052 units, respectively. Additionally, 7,614 greenhouses, representing 4 percent, are dedicated to tropical crops.
The Ministry of Agriculture stated that it provides technical guidance and support to farmers through its provincial agriculture directorates and extension units. This support spans the entire production cycle, from land preparation to harvest, and includes assistance in managing plant diseases and technical challenges. Farmers may also access services from the “Fund for Mitigating the Effects of Drought and Natural Disasters” when crops sustain significant damage from events such as storms or sea spouts.
Despite the sector’s importance, farmers face significant hurdles, including rising costs for equipment and production inputs, price volatility during peak seasons, limitations in international marketing, and climatic risks. To address these issues, the Ministry is developing future plans aimed at strengthening export capabilities through international contracts, regulating import operations, and enhancing the skills of technical staff.
As part of its development strategy, the Ministry announced a collaboration with Turkey to facilitate the transfer of modern greenhouse technologies. These techniques are set to be implemented in the provinces of Tartus, Latakia, and Idlib, with the primary goals of increasing production efficiency and improving the economic viability for farmers.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
