Water Scarcity in Syria: The Impact of the Crisis on Irrigated Agriculture
Keywords:
Syrian crisis, irrigated agriculture, water, droughtAbstract
Syria is situated in an arid to semi-arid climatic zone characterized by limited water resources in relation to the needs of its population. The country is classified as water-poor, with a per capita water share that falls below the international poverty line of 1,000 cubic meters per person per year. Through decades, the economic and social development, as well as population growth, have led to the depletion of non-renewable water resources, and press on renewable ones. The government’s persistence on expanding irrigated agriculture has put further pressure on water resources resulting in water shortage, which was compensated by exploiting groundwater. In addition to that, the country experienced multiple severe droughts from 2007 to 2009, which led to substantial population internal displacements and a decrease in water availability. After more than twelve years into the crisis in Syria, water supply infrastructure, including irrigation networks and pumping stations suffer extensive damage and destruction. Moreover, a rapid economic downturn that began in 2019 and became the predominant cause of agricultural decline due to the limited fuel availability, unaffordable water costs, and rising production expenses. This review paper aims to assess the state of water resources and contribute to a better understanding of the Syrian crisis's repercussions on irrigated agriculture. The review employs data and statistics from various local and international reports, literature, and previous studies that discuss the effects of the crisis on agriculture and water resources. The results indicated a significant reduction in irrigated areas during the crisis years, with the largest reduction in 2022 as the economic situation reached its worst levels. Despite the effects of the crisis, there were notable advancements in modern irrigation techniques. Urgent economic solutions and sustainable water management strategies are required to address these issues.
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