Rana Al-Mansour*1, khetam Idris2 and Jamal Al-Ali1

1 College of Agricultural engineering – Homs University-Syria.
2 General Authority for Scientific Agricultural Research – Homs Research-Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Rana Al-Mansour, Email: ral986727@gmail.com).

Received: 18/ 01/ 2026     Accepted: 9/04 /2026

Abstract: 

The research aimed to analyze the economic return and comparative advantage of pistachio cultivation in the eastern Homs countryside, focusing on the impact of different landholding categories. The research adopted the Agricultural Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) methodology to measure the effect of market distortions and government policies on crop profitability and resource allocation efficiency. Primary data was collected from a sample of 131 farmers during the 2024 agricultural season, divided into three landholding categories (small, medium, large). the crop showed high productive and economic efficiency across all landholding categories, with yields per dunum ranging from (182.94-240.55) kg. it was found that the crop in the small landholding category showed a strong comparative advantage, confirmed by low Domestic Resource Cost (DRC ≥ 0.136) values. However, policy analysis matrix indicators revealed an implicit tax on producers amounting to about 70% of their income (PSR ≈ -70%), due to local prices being a quarter of international prices (NPC0 = 0.248). The research concluded that current pricing policies limit the realization of the full economic value of the crop, despite its strong comparative advantage. the research recommends reconsidering pricing policies and designing a targeted support package to maximize the economic and social returns of the pistachio cultivation sector in Homs Governorate.

Keywords: Pistachio, Comparative Advantage, Agricultural Policy Analysis, Resource Efficiency, Market Distortions.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF