For the fifth day in a row, agricultural protests continue in Raqqa and several other provinces, rejecting the purchase price set by the Ministry of Economy and Industry, amid warnings of the repercussions of the high cost on the agricultural sector.
"Sanabel Al-Karama": Ongoing sit-ins in the center of Raqqa
In Raqqa, dozens of farmers and farmers gathered in the Naeem roundabout in the center of the city, to participate in an open sit-in they called "Sanabel al-Karama" to protest the decision of the Ministry of Economy and Industry.
The protesters stressed in their statements that the protests that have been going on for five days will not stop until their demands for a review of the price, which they described as unfair, are met.
The farmers pointed out that the specified value does not cover harvesting and transportation fees, and does not leave any fair profit margin in light of the sharp rise in the prices of fuel and fertilizers, demanding that the price be raised to meet the requirements and costs of production and do justice to the farmer after a full season's fatigue.
Protests expand to Qamishli
In Qamishli, the city witnessed a gathering in front of the Grain Directorate, in which protesters raised banners and slogans warning against neglecting the sector, most notably: "If the farmer goes hungry... The Hunger of the Homeland" and "Food security begins with justice for the farmer", amid parallel preparations in the rest of the regions to increase the pace of the movement unless the government intervenes urgently.
Farmers' Union Warns and Calls for Emergency Delivery Reward
The head of the Farmers' Union in al-Hasakah province, Abdul Hamid al-Karko, said in a recent statement that the official price announced does not meet the aspirations of farmers and is not at all commensurate with the effort exerted or the high costs of agricultural production.
Al-Karako said the union believes it is absolutely necessary to adjust the price or add a "delivery bonus" of at least $120 per tonne to ensure that farmers continue to produce and protect one of the most important pillars of the local economy on the Syrian island.
The Ministry of Economy sets 46,000 Syrian pounds per ton
Last week, the Ministry of Economy and Industry issued a decision to set the purchase price of one ton of first-grade durum wheat "Mashul" (packed in bags) for the 2026 season at 46,000 new Syrian pounds.
The decision indicated that the executive instructions will be issued later, and it is worth noting that the ministry had set the prices last year at $320 for the hard type of the first degree, and $300 for the soft type delivered to the warehouses and centers of the Syrian Grain Corporation.
Syrian Grain Company Raises Storage Capacities and Qualifies Silos
In this context, the Assistant Director General of the Syrian Grains Corporation, Ahmed Qadoun, explained in a press statement that the Corporation has completed its preparations to receive the new crop by raising storage capacities to reach nearly one million tons, and equipping about 80 centers, a significant increase compared to previous years.
Qadoun pointed out that technical teams are currently working in 15 locations in Deir Ezzor, Hasakeh and Raqqa provinces to ensure that the expected quantities are absorbed, and that flour stocks for bakeries are secured and that bread loaf is stable.
Extensive Silo Rehabilitation Program
The Syrian Grain Corporation launched a broad program to rehabilitate silos and warehouses damaged by the war, which resulted in the reactivation of strategic sites such as the Al-Alu, Mabrouka, Al-Balikh and Nawa silos, in addition to the automation of the Kiswah and Ghazlaniya silos.
The official statements of the Foundation revealed that these operations received direct financial support from the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic with a value of $5 million and 129 thousand, which was fully allocated to the repair of silos in the eastern and northern governorates to enhance food security.