Farmers: wheat price is not suited for farmers 

With the wheat harvest season approaching in Syria, the Ministry of Economy and Industry in the interim government issued a decision to set the purchase price of first-grade hard wheat for the 2026 season at 46,000 new Syrian pounds per ton, equivalent to about 33.5 cents. This decision has sparked widespread discontent among farmers in the northern and eastern regions of Syria.

Farmers in the Alian area of the Jal Agha countryside believe that the set price does not align with the high production costs and does not achieve the minimum profits needed for them to continue agricultural work. They confirmed that the decision was disappointing after a season they had hoped would compensate for years of drought and losses.

In this context, farmer Zidan Hussein from the village of Arab Shah said that the wheat price announced by the interim government is "an unjust and unfair decision toward farmers and agriculture in general," pointing out that the price is much lower than the actual production costs, including seeds, fertilizers, diesel, and plowing, which makes continuing farming nearly impossible, as he described.

Zidan added that farmers had hoped the purchase price would be around 50 cents at least, especially after the agricultural season improved due to the rains this year. However, they were surprised by the new price, which he deemed unfair to the farmers' efforts and not considerate of the difficult economic conditions.

He pointed out that the decisions of the interim government, whether related to customs, agricultural diesel prices, or wheat pricing, have directly affected the living conditions of the citizens, adding that farmers now feel that agriculture has become a burden instead of a source of livelihood.

Zidan confirmed that many farmers refuse to sell their crop at the current price, saying, "If the decision is not amended, we will not sell the wheat, and storing it at home is better than selling it at this unfair price."

For his part, farmer Jwan Tamo from the town of Abrah, who planted about 600 dunams of wheat this year, explained that agricultural costs have risen significantly, starting from the prices of fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds, to the costs of plowing, harvesting, and transportation.

He indicated that the price of a ton of fertilizer reached $615, while the cost of pesticides for every 10 dunams was about 3. Additionally, the costs of plowing have increased due to the rise in agricultural diesel prices, which have been raised to 25 cents. He explained that the expected harvesting costs could reach $75 for every 10 dunams.

Jowan confirmed that the price set for purchasing wheat does not even cover production costs, adding that this reality will drive many farmers to abandon agriculture and seek other sources of income, especially since village residents primarily rely on agriculture to secure their livelihoods.

He indicated that he expected the wheat purchase price to be around 55 cents, which would at least cover expenses and pay off the debts incurred for the season, adding that the current decision has shocked the farmers.

For his part, farmer Haji Abdullah said that the rise in the prices of agricultural supplies, such as diesel, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, along with the costs of harvesting and transportation, has made agriculture a "loss upon loss," as he put it.

He added that the current season, despite the rain, did not meet expectations due to the cold weather's impact on wheat growth, leading to empty ears and reduced production, confirming that the set price will not allow them to make any profit or even pay off their debts.

He pointed out that the cost of wheat bags alone has become high, with the price of a single bag reaching about two dollars, in addition to other financial burdens, adding that this season might be his last in farming the land if prices continue at this rate.

Farmers warned that continuing with this pricing will lead to a decline in wheat cultivation in the region, stressing that achieving fairness in the pricing of strategic crops has become essential to protect farmers and ensure food security in the country.

ANHA