Relief for Indebted Farmers
Syria's finance and agriculture ministers on 9 August 2026 reviewed a package of measures intended to ease financial pressure on farmers, led by a three-month extension of the repayment deadline for defaulted agricultural loans. The extension continues the application of Decree No. 70 of 2026.
The move targets growers who have fallen behind on their payments, giving them additional time before their debts are treated as overdue.
Cheaper Credit for Modernization
The two ministers agreed to strengthen the role of the Agricultural Cooperative Bank in financing production, chiefly through low-cost loans for modern irrigation systems, farm machinery and solar-energy projects. The lending would run through a dedicated financing facility joined by a group of financial institutions.
The aim is to channel affordable credit toward technologies that lower input costs and reduce reliance on scarce fuel and water.
New Development Fund Weighed
Officials examined the possibility of establishing an Agricultural Development Fund, alongside a review of existing state funds. Those under review include the Agricultural Production Support Fund, the Modern Irrigation Transition Support Fund and the Drought Impact Mitigation Fund.
The review is meant to assess whether the funds should continue and how their role might be reactivated to raise farm output and improve services to growers.
Land, Insurance and Returns
The talks also covered developing an agricultural insurance system, drawing on international practice, and building a database to catalog state assets that could be used for investment-oriented farm projects. Funds were earmarked to train farmers under an initiative called "Syria Without Camps."
That effort focuses on the eastern governorates and is designed to help displaced families return to their land and put it back into production.
Research and Company Reform
The agenda extended to backing agricultural research, seed multiplication and laboratory development, steps meant to lift yields over the longer term. Officials also weighed the future shape of state-linked agricultural firms.
They discussed strengthening the governance of agricultural companies with a commercial character and reviewing the standing of federal agricultural firms to define their role going forward.