DERIK, Syria (North Press) – Some farmers in the countryside of Derik, in the far northeast of Syria, are forced to purchase insufficient amounts of fertilizer that they need for their lands, while others are reluctant to spray their crops due to the high prices, amid expectations of a decline in the production of the agricultural season.
One ton of Urea fertilizer is sold for $350, whereas one ton of Super type is sold for $400.
A land with no fertilizer
Local farmer Ahmed Sadoun, who is from Tabga in the countryside of Derik, said that he didn’t fertilize his land (two hectares planted with wheat) this year because he couldn’t afford to purchase it.
He stated that even if he tried to spray his land with organic fertilizers, the process would be costly for him, as he would pay sums to the transport truck and the workers at an estimated cost of 10,000 Syrian pounds (SYP) per shipment, in addition to being unsuitable at this time of the year.
He fears of losing his yield of wheat this year due to the lack of rain. “The rain has not been enough for growing crops this year, it looks bad as I bought seeds for 350 SYP,” He added.
Other farmers said they were waiting the foundations of the Autonomous Administration of North and East of Syria (AANES) to reduce the amounts of fertilizers and distribute them by loan.
Whereas the Co-chair of the Agricultural Community Development Company in Derik, Shivan Delli, told North Press that they purchase imported materials in dollars and sell them at cost.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has become the source of providing fertilizers through Semalka border crossing due to the lack of factories that produce fertilizers in the region.
Delli believes that the prices of fertilizers of this year are close to last year’s ones, but the difference in currency rates is what impacts the farmers because they are converting Syrian currency into dollars.
Over the past few days, and after the introduction of the 5,000 SYP denomination, the exchange rate of one dollar rose to more than 3300 SYP, and is still rising, according to exchange dealers of Derik.
Distributing fertilizers by loan
The distribution of fertilizers to farmers by loan requires a decision from (AANES), according to Delli.
During 2018 and 2019, the company distributed a quantity of fertilizers by loan, “but some farmers have not paid off their debts yet,” Delli stated.
He indicated that the company’s debts, which have not been paid by farmers yet, amount to 200 million SYP.
Since September, the company distributed 1300 tons of Urea fertilizer and 38 tons of Super one, where between 70 and 80 tons of fertilizers are distributed daily.
“The company has enough quantities of fertilizers in its warehouses which cover the regions of Derik, Tel Kocher, and Jil Agha, to the east of Qamishli,” he added.
The agricultural lands agent, Mohamed Sadiq, an agent of a land of 600 dunums, has fertilized the land despite high prices of the material aiming at improving the introduction.
He pointed out that the costs are threatening our loss, “the value of production will not cover the costs of agriculture in this case.”