Damage to crops; harvesters will not work if the blockade continues

Damascus government checkpoints are tightening their siege on the al-Shahba canton, which houses the displaced from Afrin and the residents of al-Shahba, and preventing the passage of basic materials to the canton.

The agricultural sector, which is considered one of the pillars of the community economy, has been greatly affected by the blockade, and according to the Agriculture Committee in the canton, 30% of the arable land has not been cultivated as a result of the blockade, due to the loss of materials needed for agriculture and the high prices.

While 10% of the lands that were cultivated irrigated were converted to rain-fed, due to the lack of diesel fuel for irrigation.

The lands cultivated by irrigation require a large amount of fuel oil to operate the engines for drawing and pumping water, and its lack of availability causes great damage to the crops and damage them, and thus a disaster in the region.

In addition, the price of fertilizers increased dramatically, as the price of urea (46%) reached $45 per bag (50 kg), in addition to the increase in the prices of insecticides for vines and vegetables per liter by 100,000 Syrian pounds, and the insecticide (Spanish) for 240,000. SP for pint.

According to the agriculture committee in the canton, the region will head towards a disaster in the agricultural sector, if the siege continues, and that the agricultural crops for this season will be destroyed, due to the inability of farms to irrigate them, and the lack of fuel oil to be harvested through harvesters.

On the 27th of April, the Local Administration and Environment Authority announced, through a statement, that all electricity generators have stopped and power has been completely cut off in the region, due to the depletion of diesel fuel used in operating the generators that supply the region with electric current.

T/ Satt.

ANHA