By Abbas Nazil
Syrian farmlands along the Mediterranean coast are facing unprecedented pressure from recurring wildfires, shifting climate patterns, and inadequate agricultural policies, putting the livelihoods of thousands of families at serious risk.
Recent fires have destroyed more than 10,000 hectares of forests and crops, causing extensive damage to electricity infrastructure and forcing over 1,100 residents to evacuate as flames spread into populated areas.
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) estimates that over the past decade, some 40,000 hectares of farmland across Syria have turned to desert.
Much of this loss is concentrated in the coastal region, driven by deforestation, overgrazing, recurrent fires, and soil degradation, all of which have weakened the productivity and resilience of local agriculture.
Environmental experts report that green cover in the area has declined by roughly 30 percent in the past ten years, largely due to tree-cutting for heating purposes and the absence of effective environmental regulations.
This decline has led to reduced agricultural output and a narrower variety of crops, directly affecting both food security and the income of farming communities.
Adding to the sector’s challenges, younger generations are increasingly abandoning farming, leaving plots idle or selling land while seeking employment or migration opportunities, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the region.
In response to the mounting crisis, the Agriculture Ministry in Damascus organized a workshop that recommended the establishment of a technical committee tasked with designing an emergency reforestation and rehabilitation plan for areas affected by fires.
Agriculture specialist Samer Nasr emphasized that the sector is facing a “dual threat of climate change and mismanagement,” calling for immediate replanting initiatives to prevent permanent desertification.
He further noted that soaring input costs are contributing to the sector’s decline, highlighting the urgent need for direct subsidies, incentives, and support programs to sustain farming activities and ensure food production stability.
Experts warn that without prompt action to reforest damaged lands, provide financial and technical support to farmers, and strengthen resource management policies, agriculture in Syria’s coastal regions could lose its role as a key contributor to national food supply.
The combined effects of environmental degradation, climate change, and socio-economic pressures underscore the vulnerability of the Syrian agricultural sector and the urgent need for coordinated policy interventions.
If current trends continue, the coastal farmlands may face irreversible damage, jeopardizing livelihoods, food security, and the overall economic stability of the region.
Authorities and environmental groups stress that a comprehensive approach integrating reforestation, sustainable farming practices, and youth engagement is essential to safeguard Syria’s agricultural future.
Without decisive measures, the ongoing cycle of fires, land degradation, and migration away from farming may permanently diminish the productivity and resilience of Syria’s coastal agricultural sector.
