Syrian Farmers in Daraa Province Exceed Eggplant Planting Targets

Farmers in Syria's Daraa province have planted 1,195 hectares of eggplants this season, nearly three times the planned 420 hectares, with output forecast at 24,000 tonnes, Syria's state news agency SANA reported. 

The crop is expected to supply local markets and households preparing food for winter, according to Hassan al-Ahmad, head of agricultural economics and planning at the Daraa Agriculture Directorate, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said in a statement.

Pepper planting also exceeded its target, reaching 1,127 hectares against a planned 408 hectares, with output estimated at about 22,000 tonnes, al-Ahmad said.

Eggplants are selling for 35-45 Syrian pounds ($0.29-0.37) a kilogram, said farmer Abdul Azim al-Zoubi. Demand typically rises from September through November as households make makdous, a traditional Syrian dish made by stuffing boiled and drained small eggplants with red chili peppers, walnuts and salt, then preserving them in olive oil.

Al-Zoubi called for lower customs duties on fertilizers and pesticides, citing rising costs for agricultural supplies.

A Daraa resident, Raeda al-Hussein, said making makdous at home costs less than buying it ready-made, and she prepares about 100 kilograms of eggplants each year, along with peppers, oil, walnuts and garlic.

The eggplant and pepper crops are supplied to markets in Daraa, Tafas and Damascus, as well as other parts of the province.

Syria's agricultural sector has faced significant challenges in recent years due to the ongoing conflict, which has affected the country's infrastructure, economy, and food security. The sector has been working to recover and rebuild, with efforts to increase crop production and support farmers.

The Daraa province, located in southern Syria, has been a key agricultural hub, producing a variety of crops including vegetables, fruits, and grains. The province's fertile soil and favorable climate make it an ideal place for farming, and the recent increase in eggplant and pepper planting is a positive sign for the local economy and food security.