During his visit to several state-owned grain purchasing facilities and centers in the central province of Hama, the chief executive said that grain trading operations are being facilitated by government institutions.

All capacities should be employed to achieve an excellent grain production season, which would support the national economy, he said. The Syrian government approved a package of measures aimed at boosting wheat planting and production and supporting wheat farmers, considered the main food for the population.

Before the war in 2011, Syria produced sufficient quantities for self-consumption and export.

Production fell from five million tons to just over one million due to the departure of almost one million hectares from the plan because they were in areas occupied by U.S. forces that Damascus accuses of plundering this agricultural wealth.

The state is forced to import, mainly from Russia, amid many difficulties resulting from the economic blockade and sanctions by the United States and its allies in the West.

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