Idlib, Aug. 4 (SANA)The Syrianpistachioharvest is underway inIdlib provincein northwestern Syria, providing an important source of income for farmers and seasonal workers, particularly in the Khan Sheikhoun area, where families are taking part in harvesting, sorting and packaging the crop.Agricultural officials say this year’s harvest is relatively promising despite weather-related challenges and the impact of agricultural pests, while stronger prices have improved returns compared with last season.

Mohammad Qattini, an agricultural engineer at the Khan Sheikhoun Agriculture Directorate, told SANA that pistachios are among the region’s most important agricultural crops. He said approximately 1,000 hectares of rain-fed orchards and 10,000 hectares of irrigated orchards are under cultivation.Qattini said farmers continue to face challenges, including infestations of the capnodis beetle, which attacks tree trunks and can destroy entire orchards, as well as limited resources that have affected orchard maintenance.He added that Idlib produces several commercial varieties, including the high-yield Ashouri, along with Nab al-Jamal, Batouri, Aleimi and Ras al-Kharouf.Farmer Abdulaziz Imad al-Din said harvesting begins at sunrise and continues throughout the day. He described this year’s crop as better than last year’s, citing improved availability of fertilizers and pesticides, although labor shortages remain a challenge.

Another farmer, Walid Mahmoud, said the harvest provides a primary source of income for many local families while creating seasonal employment opportunities. Despite fluctuations in market prices, he said returns remain satisfactory for both growers and traders.Trader Abdul Karim al-Qassem, from the town of Morek, said demand for Syrian pistachios remains strong due to the quality of the local crop. He called for greater support for farmers by making agricultural inputs more affordable.Al-Qassem said prices this season range between 533 and 600 Syrian pounds per kilogram, while the Ashouri variety sells for around 1,335 Syrian pounds per kilogram. He added that Syrian pistachios, particularly the “ice cream kernel” variety, are exported to international markets.Syria’s pistachios are among the most important tree crops in southern Idlib, contributing to the local economy and providing seasonal employment as farmers contend with rising production costs and climate-related challenges.R.D/ABD