Pistachio farming in north-western Syria - in pictures

Returning to their orchards after years of war, Syrian pistachio farmers hoping to revive their valuable crop have had their hopes dashed by the ravages of climate change. All photos: Reuters
Returning to their orchards after years of war, Syrian pistachio farmers hoping to revive their valuable crop have had their hopes dashed by the ravages of climate change. All photos: Reuters
Farmers near the north-western village of Maan are harvesting only a quarter of the crop they gathered before the civil war.
Farmers near the north-western village of Maan are harvesting only a quarter of the crop they gathered before the civil war.
The long road to recovery has been obstructed by 'the lack of rainfall, climate change as a whole, and the lack of basic materials', one pistachio farmer complained.
The long road to recovery has been obstructed by 'the lack of rainfall, climate change as a whole, and the lack of basic materials', one pistachio farmer complained.
Syria's worst drought in 70 years took place last year and much of its land remains parched.
Syria's worst drought in 70 years took place last year and much of its land remains parched.
The nuts tend to be harvested at dawn and sunset when their shells split naturally, generating a cracking noise that guides farmers to trees ready for picking.
The nuts tend to be harvested at dawn and sunset when their shells split naturally, generating a cracking noise that guides farmers to trees ready for picking.
Farmer Nayef Ibrahim tends to a pistachio tree at his farm, in the north-western village of Maan.
Farmer Nayef Ibrahim tends to a pistachio tree at his farm, in the north-western village of Maan.
Syrian Agriculture Ministry official Jihad Mohamed said pistachio farming had suffered because the areas in which the nuts are grown had been badly affected by the war.
Syrian Agriculture Ministry official Jihad Mohamed said pistachio farming had suffered because the areas in which the nuts are grown had been badly affected by the war.
Despite that, exports continue with Syrian pistachios selling in markets including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
Despite that, exports continue with Syrian pistachios selling in markets including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.