The Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Rural Damascus Directorate of Agriculture, conducted an extensive field tour in the villages of Sasa, Beit Jinn, Deir Saber, and Hinah. The tour aimed to assess the current status of agricultural crops and enhance cooperation with European partners to introduce modern technologies in agricultural diagnosis and production.Tour Participants:Dr. Zaid Abu Assaf – Director of Rural Damascus AgricultureMr. Mohammad Jannan – Chairman of the Damascus Chamber of AgricultureEng. Ahmad Al-Zaqout – Board Member of the Rural Damascus Chamber of Agriculture and Head of the Agricultural Centers CommitteeEng. Ahmad Shehadeh – Former Head of Sasa Agricultural Department and Plant Disease Protection ExpertDr. Joseph – Representative of the Italian company specializing in modern agricultural technologiesMr. Ahmad Al-Hilali – International Relations Coordinator for the European companyFocus Areas of the Tour:Inspecting wheat crops, assessing growth status, and identifying potential infestations.Visiting fruit orchards (apples, cherries, peaches, and apricots) to study production realities.Monitoring vegetable cultivation in both greenhouses and open fields.Taking agricultural soil samples for laboratory studies on soil composition and nutrient requirements.Evaluating the quantities and quality of fertilizers used and their compatibility with actual crop needs.Objectives of Cooperation with the European Side:Preparing a feasibility study to establish optical laboratories for plant sap analysis, enabling the early detection of incurable plant diseases.Establishing soil analysis laboratories according to European standards to support farmers in improving productivity.Developing precise fertilization programs based on scientific analysis to eliminate random fertilizer application.Transitioning towards treating plant diseases using modern techniques that rely on early diagnosis and specialized technical support.Tour Conclusion:The Damascus Chamber of Agriculture and the Rural Damascus Directorate of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Italian and European companies, confirmed their commitment to supporting farmers. This will be achieved by introducing modern analysis technologies, developing scientific fertilization programs, and raising agricultural production efficiency, which positively reflects on national food security
4/7/2026
