Syria promotes low-cost feed preservation techniques as livestock sector faces mounting pressure

SYRIA – Agricultural authorities in Syria, together with international experts, are promoting low-cost livestock feed preservation methods as the country’s livestock sector grapples with rising feed prices, climate stress, and long-term disruption to supply chains.

At a demonstration held this week at the Deir al-Hajar Research Station for Shami cattle near Damascus, livestock breeders and agricultural specialists were trained in silage and hay production techniques to improve feed availability during drought periods and reduce dependence on expensive imported inputs.

The event was organised with the participation of Syria’s General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), reflecting increased collaboration between national and regional institutions on food security challenges.

Officials said Syria’s livestock sector continues to face severe cost pressures driven by high transport and energy prices, limited access to imported feed, and ongoing instability affecting regional trade routes. 

These challenges have been compounded by more than a decade of conflict, which has damaged agricultural infrastructure, reduced grazing capacity, and increased production costs for farmers and breeders.

Silage and hay as practical resilience tools

Experts at the demonstration highlighted silage production as a key strategy for preserving green fodder in oxygen-free storage conditions, where natural fermentation prevents spoilage and extends usability.

According to Muhammad Baghdadi, head of the nutrition department at the research commission, silage allows farmers to store seasonal feed surpluses and reduce waste during periods of abundance.

He explained that a range of crops and agricultural by-products can be used, including maize, legumes, beet crops, and food-processing residues, making the approach adaptable for small and medium-scale livestock producers facing fluctuating input availability.

Baghdadi noted that dairy cattle typically consume around 30 kilograms of silage per day, while sheep and goats require up to 7 kilograms per day, depending on the production stage and herd management needs.

In addition to silage, researchers demonstrated hay-making techniques that reduce moisture content in green fodder, enabling long-term storage and improving feed security during dry seasons.

Agricultural specialists warned that climate change is intensifying drought cycles across the Middle East, further tightening feed supply and increasing pressure on already vulnerable livestock systems. 

Rising economic volatility in the region is also limiting farmers’ ability to secure consistent feed supplies.

Osama al-Abdullah, Director General of Syria’s agricultural research commission, said stronger collaboration between scientists and livestock producers is essential to sustaining production under increasingly constrained conditions. 

He emphasised that practical, low-cost solutions must be prioritised to ensure adoption at the farm level.

Experts from ACSAD added that coordinated efforts between research institutions and farmers will be critical in closing Syria’s feed gap and strengthening resilience against future environmental and economic shocks, particularly as small-scale producers remain the backbone of the country’s livestock sector.

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