Severe drought tits agriculture in northeast Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Widespread drought across northeast Syria is severely affecting agricultural production, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in a region long considered the country’s breadbasket.
Local farmers in Hasakah and Raqqa governorates told North Press that the shortage of rainfall during the winter season has devastated wheat and barley crops, reducing yields and increasing dependence on limited irrigation sources.
“The land has completely dried up; we planted wheat but the soil cracked before it grew,” said Ahmed, a farmer from the countryside of Hasakah. “Without rain or sufficient irrigation water, we have no harvest this year.”
The Agriculture and Irrigation Board of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) confirmed that rainfall during the 2023–2024 season was among the lowest in decades. In a statement, the board said the drought is straining both agricultural output and water availability for livestock, putting rural communities under severe pressure.
According to AANES data, cereal production has dropped by more than 40 percent compared to average years. Officials warned that the decline could impact food security in local markets, given that wheat from the region supplies bakeries across northeast Syria.
Human rights and humanitarian organizations have also expressed concern. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that repeated drought seasons are forcing many families to abandon farming and migrate to urban centers in search of income.
Despite the challenges, local authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have worked to maintain security along irrigation channels and protect farming areas from theft and sabotage, ensuring that scarce resources reach communities in need.
Residents said the drought has compounded existing difficulties caused by conflict and economic hardship. “Even if we manage to water some of the fields, the cost of fuel for pumps is too high,” said Fatima, a farmer from Raqqa countryside.
The AANES has launched initiatives to support farmers, including subsidizing seed distribution and working with humanitarian partners to secure emergency assistance. Still, many in rural areas fear that another dry year could drive them deeper into poverty.
Agriculture remains the primary source of income for thousands of families across northeast Syria, and the continuation of drought conditions could further destabilize rural livelihoods. Local authorities said they are monitoring the situation closely and will announce additional measures to mitigate the impact in the coming weeks.