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Isis is strangling Syrian trade but a new orange co-operative is turning to Russia Isis is strangling Syrian trade but a new orange co-operative is turning to Russia
(6 months later)
Scroll down a Google image search of Syria and all you will find is images of war. There is seemingly no evidence of the country’s fertile landscape, its once thriving agriculture sector or its colourful exports of tomatoes, oranges, apples and livestock.Scroll down a Google image search of Syria and all you will find is images of war. There is seemingly no evidence of the country’s fertile landscape, its once thriving agriculture sector or its colourful exports of tomatoes, oranges, apples and livestock.
The country’s economy and the livelihoods of its people have been shattered by the civil war – but there are some green shoots of production and trade in the country, as communities turn to agriculture to help them rebuild their future.The country’s economy and the livelihoods of its people have been shattered by the civil war – but there are some green shoots of production and trade in the country, as communities turn to agriculture to help them rebuild their future.
“Syria used to be beautiful and prosperous,” says Firas al-Ali, a Syrian-born brain surgeon, now living in the US, who is helping to resurrect his family’s historic orange business on the country’s west coast.“Syria used to be beautiful and prosperous,” says Firas al-Ali, a Syrian-born brain surgeon, now living in the US, who is helping to resurrect his family’s historic orange business on the country’s west coast.
“My parents have around 50 to 70 acres of oranges ... The only markets they have open are very local for very cheap prices. Trade in this area is dead – there is no business in construction, hospitality, hairdressing, you name it. I know people who were wealthy who are now poor. Only growers still have the potential to trade.”“My parents have around 50 to 70 acres of oranges ... The only markets they have open are very local for very cheap prices. Trade in this area is dead – there is no business in construction, hospitality, hairdressing, you name it. I know people who were wealthy who are now poor. Only growers still have the potential to trade.”
The crisis in Syria has displaced around six million people from their homes and neighbourhoods due to violence, fear and occupation, according to the Syrian Center for Policy Research. In addition, the research found that nearly 14 million Syrians have lost their livelihoods, with the country’s GDP in 2013 dropping (pdf) to 41% of the pre-crisis level in 2010.The crisis in Syria has displaced around six million people from their homes and neighbourhoods due to violence, fear and occupation, according to the Syrian Center for Policy Research. In addition, the research found that nearly 14 million Syrians have lost their livelihoods, with the country’s GDP in 2013 dropping (pdf) to 41% of the pre-crisis level in 2010.
Ali explains: “The main challenge in western Syria is not immediate security, but loss of loved ones, loss of income, significant overcrowding due to internal displacement, and the infrastructure is under significant stress.”Ali explains: “The main challenge in western Syria is not immediate security, but loss of loved ones, loss of income, significant overcrowding due to internal displacement, and the infrastructure is under significant stress.”
Related: Sowing the seeds of Syria: farming group rescues plant species threatened by war
One of the most damaging effects on trade is that traditional export routes through the east of the country to Iraq and the Gulf markets are now blocked due to Islamic State occupation. “Eastern Syria is nearly all controlled by Isis, so the traditional route through to Iraq is not safe for truck drivers,” he says, adding that there is enough food in western Syria, but there are no longer enough markets. “Isis come to destroy so they won’t buy from us and help the economy. For exports the sea is now the only way out.”One of the most damaging effects on trade is that traditional export routes through the east of the country to Iraq and the Gulf markets are now blocked due to Islamic State occupation. “Eastern Syria is nearly all controlled by Isis, so the traditional route through to Iraq is not safe for truck drivers,” he says, adding that there is enough food in western Syria, but there are no longer enough markets. “Isis come to destroy so they won’t buy from us and help the economy. For exports the sea is now the only way out.”
So Ali cajoled his 80-year-old father out of retirement, and has begun the process of creating a new orange growing co-operative to help establish an export business with Russia. The journey is four days by sea, he explains, and Russia also has a gap for orange supply since banning imports from Turkey at the start of this year.So Ali cajoled his 80-year-old father out of retirement, and has begun the process of creating a new orange growing co-operative to help establish an export business with Russia. The journey is four days by sea, he explains, and Russia also has a gap for orange supply since banning imports from Turkey at the start of this year.
Along with several other growers from the region, Ali’s co-operative, as yet unnamed, raised $250,000 (£180,000) from members for a new packhouse, generator, and waxing machine – all crucial in order to produce a high enough quality product for the international market.Along with several other growers from the region, Ali’s co-operative, as yet unnamed, raised $250,000 (£180,000) from members for a new packhouse, generator, and waxing machine – all crucial in order to produce a high enough quality product for the international market.
Situated around 14km from the port city of Latakia, away from the primary areas of conflict in Syria, he hopes to begin exporting in November, and says the project will support around 50 people ranging from orange pickers, drivers, cleaners, factory workers, administrators and accountants.Situated around 14km from the port city of Latakia, away from the primary areas of conflict in Syria, he hopes to begin exporting in November, and says the project will support around 50 people ranging from orange pickers, drivers, cleaners, factory workers, administrators and accountants.
Multilingual and with a US passport that allows him freedom of travel, Ali has become the group’s spokesman overseas. However, he says it was difficult to persuade others to join him.Multilingual and with a US passport that allows him freedom of travel, Ali has become the group’s spokesman overseas. However, he says it was difficult to persuade others to join him.
“People there live in a war zone without an end in sight, but paradoxically their survival instinct is very short-term. Doing business with people is difficult, they are very edgy and they are not looking for long-term deals. The only thing they perceive as long-term is the life of their orange trees, which represent 15 years work.”“People there live in a war zone without an end in sight, but paradoxically their survival instinct is very short-term. Doing business with people is difficult, they are very edgy and they are not looking for long-term deals. The only thing they perceive as long-term is the life of their orange trees, which represent 15 years work.”
Despite facing severe disruption from the ongoing crisis, Syria’s agricultural sector is becoming more and more vital to the country’s economy, with its share of GDP expected to have risen from 17% to 29% between 2010 and 2015.Despite facing severe disruption from the ongoing crisis, Syria’s agricultural sector is becoming more and more vital to the country’s economy, with its share of GDP expected to have risen from 17% to 29% between 2010 and 2015.
While Ali’s project is funded privately, NGOs working in Syria are funding similar agricultural development programmes. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting two such projects, including mushroom cultivation in the governorate of Tartus, one of the more stable regions that has absorbed around 450,000 internally displaced persons.While Ali’s project is funded privately, NGOs working in Syria are funding similar agricultural development programmes. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting two such projects, including mushroom cultivation in the governorate of Tartus, one of the more stable regions that has absorbed around 450,000 internally displaced persons.
Relatively quick to grow, the mushroom business has created a level of food self-sufficiency and, more importantly, a reliable source of income. The project has provided 50 jobs and supplies a steady flow of produce to the local market.Relatively quick to grow, the mushroom business has created a level of food self-sufficiency and, more importantly, a reliable source of income. The project has provided 50 jobs and supplies a steady flow of produce to the local market.
Another UNDP scheme has provided 43 tomato farmers with polyethylene material, fertiliser and seeds to rebuild disused greenhouses that have been left abandoned by families fleeing to safer areas, or in disrepair after storms. Before the crisis, the Tartus region boasted 5,700 tomato greenhouses that produced 135 tonnes a year, according to the UNDP, but many are now out of operation as there is no money to buy building materials and input costs are now too high.Another UNDP scheme has provided 43 tomato farmers with polyethylene material, fertiliser and seeds to rebuild disused greenhouses that have been left abandoned by families fleeing to safer areas, or in disrepair after storms. Before the crisis, the Tartus region boasted 5,700 tomato greenhouses that produced 135 tonnes a year, according to the UNDP, but many are now out of operation as there is no money to buy building materials and input costs are now too high.
Meanwhile, Ali believes the impact of the new orange co-operative, however small scale, will be nothing less than “lifesaving” for a community that is gradually realising that there is no short-term solution to the country’s suffering.Meanwhile, Ali believes the impact of the new orange co-operative, however small scale, will be nothing less than “lifesaving” for a community that is gradually realising that there is no short-term solution to the country’s suffering.
“When money from exports comes back to them they will buy medication, supplies, and then they will save,” he says. “Mostly they will hide it away, because now they see no end.”“When money from exports comes back to them they will buy medication, supplies, and then they will save,” he says. “Mostly they will hide it away, because now they see no end.”