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Farming Systems

The development and analysis of Farming Systems (FS) is an instrument adopted in support of agricultural analysis at the NAPC. The specific contribution of the national farming system study to the tasks undertaken by the NAPC lies in providing a framework of analysis based on a consideration of both the geographical differentiation as well as the socio-economic stratification of the agricultural sector of Syria.

A team of six NAPC researchers (Ahmed Saadedin, Akram Shhaideh, Firas Yassin, Hassan Mojahed, Mourad Sayyed, Raid Hamza, and Samira Al-Zoughbi) carried out this study over a period of nine months, with the assistance of Mr Horst Wattenbach, FAO international consultant. During a part of this period, Mr Mahmoud Al Ashram also supported the team as National FAO Consultant.

A main objective of the FS research was to allow policy makers to base their decisions on a better knowledge of the agro-ecologic and socio-economic conditions of the households and of the potential impacts of agricultural policy changes (e.g. prices, market openness).

The methodology of the study comprised several analytical steps. In a first step, the team defined the major farming systems, which reflect geographic zones, marked by different agro-climatic, agro-ecologic and market conditions as well as production traditions based on socio-demographic characteristics and supporting public investments. Secondary literature was used to develop a preliminary structure and criteria for differentiation, which was subsequently refined in collaboration with experts from the different regions.

This resulted in the distinction of six major Farming Systems (Coastal Intensive Irrigated FS, Hilly and Mountainous FS, FS of Northern and North-eastern Plains, FS of Al Ghab and the Central Rain fed and Irrigated Plains, FS of Southern Semi-arid Mountains and Plains, and Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral FS).

In the study, each farming system is characterized by its natural conditions, market integration and historical influences leading to differentiation and specialization of production within it. The contribution of each farming system to the national production of major crops and the degree of specialization is presented. Within each farming system, typical households represent the socio-economic variation, which exists naturally in any rural society. These household types are developed in light of typical resources endowment, their mix of livelihood assets and changes of the last decade. The share of each household type in the farming system in combination with its production orientation allows analyzing ability to adjust to, opportunities deriving from, and vulnerabilities to changing production conditions.

The research shows how policy change and technological innovation will affect each household type, depending on the relative importance of its different income sources and livelihood strategies. The key finding is the characterization of each farming systems in the national context. This allows reviewing the possible effects of policy and technological adjustments for representative households, individual farming system as well as at aggregate level, providing valuable information for agricultural policy making.

Downloads:

TECHNICAL REPORT Farming Systems of the Syrian Arab Republic, Horst Wattenbach International Consultant to FAO (PDF 1.4 M)

Summary of the Farming Systems Study (PDF 335K)

Power Point Presentation (29.5M)

Visit Farming System Working Papers Page (Individual Report)