The Ministry of Agriculture unveiled its National Strategic Plan through 2030, outlining a comprehensive roadmap rehabilitating and modernizing Syria’s livestock sector. As a key pillar of the agricultural economy, the strategy aims to increase productivity, ensure long-term sustainability and reinforce the sector’s role in food security and economic growth.
Expanding Herds and Raising Productivity
Raed Hamza, Director of the National Center for Agricultural Policies, said the plan focuses on increasing herd sizes and improving productivity through modernized breeding programs. Key measures include rehabilitating artificial insemination centers, equipping them with updated infrastructure and establishing a specialized center for producing and distributing improved local breeds.
The strategy also prioritizes expanding poultry farms and increasing their production capacity. In parallel, the Ministry plans to modernize feed mill infrastructure and establish advanced fodder-drying facilities. It will promote the cultivation of alternative feed crops adapted to local climatic conditions while regulating feed imports to ensure stable supply in domestic markets.
Developing Resources and Strengthening Services
The strategy also addresses fisheries development by encouraging the establishment of earthen fish farms through financial and tax incentives. Officials are supporting the creation of private fish feed factories and freshwater hatcheries, while promoting fish farming in dams and lakes in coordination with the Ministry of Energy to identify suitable investment sites.
Abdulhay al-Yusuf, Director of Animal Health and Production, detailed plans to upgrade veterinary services in line with international standards. These include modernizing laboratories, enhancing disease detection systems and strengthening technical staff capacity through knowledge exchange with global institutions.
The Ministry is also rehabilitating veterinary quarantine centers and equipping them with advanced technologies, alongside implementing comprehensive quality control systems. The plan calls for importing vaccines not produced locally in accordance with the national epidemiological map, establishing a continuous epidemiological database and expanding domestic production of essential vaccines for cattle, sheep, goats and poultry. Upgrading national vaccine production facilities is also a priority.
Capacity Building and Quality Promotion
The Ministry will train technical staff in artificial insemination, genetic management and vaccine manufacturing, while linking accredited national laboratories with international counterparts. To promote Syrian livestock products, authorities plan to organize national exhibitions and participate in international fairs. The adoption of national quality standards aligned with regional and global market requirements is also central to the strategy.
