Hama-Sana
The farmers of Tal Salhab in the western countryside of Hama began reaping the Al-Obaid pistachio crop, the cultivation of which has witnessed a remarkable expansion during the past years due to its remunerative financial returns and the low costs of cultivation compared to other crops.
SANA monitored the harvesting operations in the area, where farmer Ali Al-Ahmad indicated that the slaves pistachio is one of the condensed crops that achieve high production compared to the rest of the crops, in addition to its high price and the increasing demand in the local market, calling on the concerned authorities to secure fertilizer and pesticides at acceptable prices, in addition to diesel to operate pumps. Water, given that the crop needs 10 irrigations during its growth and maturity during the season.
Farmer Ibrahim Neama considered that the crop is one of the most important agricultural crops in the region and achieves remunerative economic and material feasibility, as it benefits from its fruits for consumption and its dense green leaves as fodder for animals, especially in light of the current conditions and the high prices of fodder.
For his part, Amin Hamdan mentioned that the cultivation of the Al-Obeid pistachio is one of the successful cultivations in the Salhab area due to the suitability of its land and climate, and the pistachio fruits produced are of high quality and pleasant flavour.
Director of Plant Wealth in the General Authority for the Management and Development of the Forest, Engineer Wafiq Zarouf, stated that the cultivation of pistachios has recently achieved a remarkable expansion, and farmers are accepting to plant it for its good financial returns, the availability of production requirements, its medium production cycle, and its high prices, which currently exceed 4000 Syrian pounds per kilogram, in addition to the price of straw and leaves Residues of the crop, which are estimated at 180,000 pounds per acre, used as main fodder, which has a high nutritional value for livestock.
Zaroof estimated the production of peanuts for the current season at about 29,000 tons, resulting from the cultivation of 7,097 hectares within the field of the Authority.
Peanut cultivation is concentrated in the Al-Ghab region and its villages in general, and the Salhab region in particular, due to the suitability of its lands for the cultivation of this important crop, which is included in many food, medical and sweet industries, in addition to its consumption as a granular type of nuts.
Abdullah Al Sheikh and Ivana Diop