By Ahmad Othman
DEIR EZ-Zor, Syria (North Press) – Ali al-Salloum, a palm and pomegranate orchards owner in the town of Susah, eastern Deir ez-Zor Governorate, east Syria, said that the role of organizations operating in the areas of Autonomous Administration in North and East of Syria (AANES) in supporting palm groves owners is “limited”.
Al-Salloum, 60, a resident of Susah, complains about the lack of support by organizations for his farming and the orchards of the area.
The towns of Baghuz and Susah, eastern Deir ez-Zor, are known for growing palm and pomegranate. They are among the major date-producing areas in Syria, where the majority of their residents rely on the yields of orchards and date trade.
The area extending from Hajin to Baghuz is full of palm and pomegranate trees, which provide substantial income to their owners. However, in recent years, palm and pomegranate production witnessed a noticeable decline due to the absence of organizations support, according to farmers.
“70 percent of organizations work in the region focus on sewing and barbering courses, neglecting the role of palm trees, which are considered as part of the region’s heritage and a source of income for the population” al-Salloum said.
“Palm trees are invaluable wealth, and their cultivation requires care in the first two years. As they grow longer, their roots extend downward, seeking moisture and reducing the need for water”, he added.
He points out that the desert area extends from Abu Kamal, to Resafa in Raqqa to Palmyra. The area is known as “the Golden Triangle”, and it is one of the most suitable places in Syria for palm growing because palm trees can endure drought.
Baghuz includes about ten thousand palm trees, with approximately 2,500 of them being damaged or burned, or harmed by shelling and explosions during previous battles.
Baghuz was the final stronghold for the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria. In March 2019, it witnessed fierce battles between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with the support of the US-led Global Coalition, and ISIS militants.
“Millions of trees are planted in Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq given the importance of palm. However, palm growing is neglected in Syria due to the lack of support, the limited capabilities of farmers, and the lack of care by relevant authorities regarding marketing”, al-Salloum told North Press.
Palm trees require about 20 irrigations per year, unlike summer and winter field crops, which need between 4-5 irrigations. However, relevant authorities provided us with two irrigations last year, and this year they have not provided anything, according to al-Salloum.
Authorities and organizations are responsible for supporting orchard owners with fuel, fertilizers, and agricultural medicines, which have become unaffordable due to high prices, in addition to their scarcity in the markets.
Al-Salloum believes that dates are household food supplies, and it is essential to take care of its production, market it, and manufacture it in a manner similar to other countries.
Properly setting up manufacturing plants and marketing date syrup can help farmers avoid losses and turn date cultivation into a source of annual income.
There are different types of dates in Deir ez-Zor countryside, including Zahidi, Khista, Lulu, Asabia al-Aris, and Baqlawa, according to farmers.
Muhammad al-Menadi, 65, a resident of Baghuz, complains about the absence of the role of organizations and concerned authorities in marketing the seasonal production which piles up in his house every year.
The eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor is known for pomegranate and almond orchards. However, the owners of these orchards suffer due to the lack of organizations support.
“A single palm tree can produce over 100 kilograms of dates if it receives water, fertilizers, and a proper care”, al-Menadi told North Press.
The elderly man calls for organizations to invest in the region and establish facilities for date syrup production, packaging, and marketing in other regions due to the high quality of pomegranate and palm in Susah.