Damascus, July 25 (SANA)Syria discussed ways to strengthen agricultural cooperation withEUand Italian officials, focusing on supporting production, empowering rural communities, and improving food security, the Damascus Chamber of Agriculture said.

The chamber’s head, Mohammad Jannan, met with the EU’s Agriculture and Rural Development Program Manager Kerin Lone to discuss expanding development initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural output, supporting rural women, and enhancing the sector’s contribution to the economy.

Both sides highlighted agriculture as a key pillar of Syria’s economy andfood security, stressing the need to continue development efforts starting from rural areas, including securing production inputs and improving marketing channels for agricultural products.

Jannan said Syria’s agricultural sector needs support to recover after years of challenges that weakened its productive capacity. He noted that Syrian agricultural products have strong quality and competitiveness, adding that the sector’s revival requires coordinated efforts, development projects, and stronger partnerships with local and international organizations.

Lone said Syria has significant agricultural potential, particularly in vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants, which previously had a strong presence in international markets. He emphasized the importance of supporting rural women and expanding their role in agricultural production to promote sustainable development and strengthen rural communities.

Separately, Italian Ambassador to SyriaStefano Ravagnanvisited a model nursery in the Damascus countryside on Saturday to review seedling and plant production activities, accompanied by Jannan.

Ravagnan said the resumption of trade in ornamental plants was a positive step toward strengthening economic cooperation between Syria and Italy. He stressed the importance of turning discussions into practical projects, particularly in the agricultural sector.

He said previous meetings with Syrian agricultural institutions, including the Union of Agricultural Chambers, had yielded positive results, expressing hope for expanding joint agricultural projects to support the sector in the coming period.

The first direct shipment of Italian ornamental trees and shrubs arrived in Syria on June 7, marking the first such shipment since 2011.

The EU’s Agriculture and Rural Development Program in Syria aims to support agricultural production and food security through projects focused on improving efficiency, strengthening value chains, empowering rural women and youth, and increasing the resilience of rural communities to economic and climate challenges.

Syria’s ornamental plant sector, once a significant export activity, is gradually recovering as international trade resumes following the fall of the deposed regime.