Syria's farmers suffer amid climate crisis- in pictures

Shepherds tend their sheep in a dry wheat field during a sandstorm on the outskirts of the city of Tabqa, in Syria. All photos: AFP
Shepherds tend their sheep in a dry wheat field during a sandstorm on the outskirts of the city of Tabqa, in Syria. All photos: AFP
Wheat fields are drying to a crisp because of severe drought and low rainfall in the once-fertile region in Syria's north-east.
Wheat fields are drying to a crisp because of severe drought and low rainfall in the once-fertile region in Syria's north-east.
Farmers whose crops have been scorched by the heat now rely on income from other farmers, who use their fields to graze animals.
Farmers whose crops have been scorched by the heat now rely on income from other farmers, who use their fields to graze animals.
Before the war that erupted in 2011, Syria's wheat production was enough to meet local demand.
Before the war that erupted in 2011, Syria's wheat production was enough to meet local demand.
Harvests have plunged to record lows, leading to increased dependence on imports especially from key government ally, Russia.
Harvests have plunged to record lows, leading to increased dependence on imports especially from key government ally, Russia.
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation says the 210,000 tonnes of wheat grain produced in Hasakeh province during the 2020-2021 winter cropping season were only 26 per cent of the previous year.
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation says the 210,000 tonnes of wheat grain produced in Hasakeh province during the 2020-2021 winter cropping season were only 26 per cent of the previous year.
Arid land during a sandstorm in the countryside of Tabqa.
Arid land during a sandstorm in the countryside of Tabqa.
Syria is among the countries most vulnerable and poorly prepared for climate change, which is forecast to worsen, posing a further threat to the wheat harvests that are an essential income source for a war-battered population.
Syria is among the countries most vulnerable and poorly prepared for climate change, which is forecast to worsen, posing a further threat to the wheat harvests that are an essential income source for a war-battered population.
North-east Syria is about 0.8°C hotter today than it was 100 years ago with a decreased mean rainfall of about 18 millimetres per month over the same period, says a report released in April by iMMAP, a data-focused non-profit organisation based in Washington.
North-east Syria is about 0.8°C hotter today than it was 100 years ago with a decreased mean rainfall of about 18 millimetres per month over the same period, says a report released in April by iMMAP, a data-focused non-profit organisation based in Washington.
By 2050, temperatures are expected to be at least 2°C higher while precipitation falls by 11 per cent, iMMAP says.
By 2050, temperatures are expected to be at least 2°C higher while precipitation falls by 11 per cent, iMMAP says.
Children watch as a shepherd guides his sheep during a sandstorm on the outskirts of Tabqa.
Children watch as a shepherd guides his sheep during a sandstorm on the outskirts of Tabqa.
The low harvest in 2020-2021 came with an estimated 60 per cent of Syria's population food-insecure, the UN says.
The low harvest in 2020-2021 came with an estimated 60 per cent of Syria's population food-insecure, the UN says.
Local authorities are trying to support farmers, despite a lack of resources to confront an agricultural crisis compounded by inflation and shortages of fuel and water.
Local authorities are trying to support farmers, despite a lack of resources to confront an agricultural crisis compounded by inflation and shortages of fuel and water.
Imports have continued since Russia's February invasion of Ukraine but the war in Kyiv has sparked fears of a supply crisis as wheat fields shrivel.
Imports have continued since Russia's February invasion of Ukraine but the war in Kyiv has sparked fears of a supply crisis as wheat fields shrivel.
Farmers say they want higher prices from the government for their produce.
Farmers say they want higher prices from the government for their produce.