Swaida Farmers' Union urges combine harvester owners to expedite wheat harvesting

Samer Al-Saadi, head of the Farmers' Union in Swaida Governorate, has called on combine harvester owners from various governorates to urgently head to Swaida to assist with the wheat harvest. He warned that delays in harvesting operations threaten the agricultural season and put the crop at risk of spoilage.

The Farmers' Union's appeal comes amidst a shortage of available harvesters relative to the scale of the agricultural season, compounded by the reluctance of some owners from outside the governorate to travel there due to unstable security conditions. This situation threatens to delay the wheat harvest, exposing the crop to risks such as spoilage or fire.

In a statement to ANHA agency regarding the harvesting situation in Swaida, Al-Saadi called upon harvester owners with a "sense of conscience" to meet the governorate's needs over the next two or three days. He emphasized that the wheat has reached full maturity and that any delay in harvesting could result in significant losses for farmers.

He noted that Swaida governorate as vast areas planted with wheat and produces high-quality varieties. This necessitates a concerted effort to complete the harvest as quickly as possible to safeguard the crop and ensure farmers reap the benefits of a season that involved considerable effort and expense.

The head of the Farmers' Union affirmed that the Union focuses on protecting farmers' rights—particularly regarding the marketing of the wheat crop—and explained that coordination has been established with relevant authorities to ensure the crop is received through the Grain Office. Al-Saadi explained that the matter of wheat storage does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Farmers' Union; rather, it is the responsibility of the relevant authorities—primarily the Grain and Mills Office. He noted, however, that the Union is monitoring the issue with the competent institutions to ensure that procedures proceed as required.

He added that payments for the wheat would be processed through branches of the Agricultural Bank—including the Swaida branch and the Al-Hariqa branch in Damascus for farmers delivering their crops there. He emphasized that payments due to farmers, based on official invoices issued by the Grain Office, would not be interrupted, and that the relevant authorities are committed to settle them in accordance with established procedures.

Samer Al-Saadi, head of the Farmers' Union in Swaida Governorate, stressed that the current priority is to expedite the wheat harvest before the crop sustains any damage. He called upon combine harvester owners to respond quickly to the appeal, helping to save the wheat season and support the governorate's farmers.

Sh-S

ANHA