Damascus, Aug. 10 (SANA)Syria’scotton productionis expected to reach about 79,467 tons this season, with the crop’s overall condition described as good, the Ministry of Agriculture said.

Director of the ministry’s Cotton Office Mohammad Maari told SANA on Monday that cotton was cultivated on around 26,593 hectares this season, up from 25,810 hectares last season, when production reached 69,587 tons.

Maari said cotton cultivation faced several climatic and agricultural challenges this season, including low temperatures and continued rainfall until May, which delayed planting. Some cultivated areas were also damaged by rising water levels of theEuphrates River.

He added thatcotton farming in Syriacontinues to face challenges, including reduced irrigation water availability due to declining water resources, higher production costs and damage to irrigation networks, factors that have contributed to a decline in cultivated areas in recent years.

Maari said the ministry is working to implement modern irrigation methods and technologies, particularly drip irrigation, to reduce water consumption, improve efficiency and increase productivity while preserving water resources.

He said theAgricultural Scientific ResearchAuthority is developing improved cotton varieties that are more resistant to water stress, mature earlier and provide higher yields while maintaining fiber quality.

The ministry’s future plans include expanding cotton cultivation areas across Syria, encouraging investment in cotton farming and related industries, adopting modern agricultural practices and introducing new high-yielding varieties.

Maari said efforts are also underway to set acompetitive purchase pricefor cotton that encourages farmers to continue cultivation, contributes to increased production and supports expansion of cultivated areas.

He added that higher cotton production would help meet the needs of cotton ginning facilities and textile factories while allowing the export of surplus high-quality ginned cotton, noting that Syrian cotton meets quality specifications demanded in international markets.

Cotton is one ofSyria’s key agricultural crops, and expanding its production depends on securing production inputs and irrigation water, improving farming practices and varieties, and ensuring suitable returns for farmers to support the sustainability of the sector.