Muhammad Sulieman1*, Nidal Darwish1, Hayan Suleman1 and Sawsan Haifa 2
1 Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Latakia University. Syria.
2 Department of Soil and Water sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Latakia University. Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Eng. Muhammad Sulieman, Email: Muhammad.suliemann@gmail.com – Muhammad.sulieman@Tishreen.edu.sy)
Received: 26/ 5/ 2025 Accepted: 23/ 1/ 2025
Abstract:
The study was conducted during the period 2018–2023 with the aim of assessing the status of water stored in dams and the cultivated areas in Latakia Governorate, in addition to calculating the overall irrigation water productivity during the study period. This contributes to filling the knowledge gap concerning the efficiency of water resources in the agricultural sector and provides a scientific tool to assist policymakers and relevant authorities in planning water and agricultural policies. The descriptive-analytical approach was employed in addressing the study topic. The results indicated that the quantity of irrigation water plays a critical role in agricultural expansion. On average, irrigated winter vegetables accounted for 1% of total irrigated production, while irrigated summer vegetables represented approximately 8%, and fruit trees accounted for around 91% of total irrigated production. The average volume of water consumed for irrigating winter vegetables was about 1.63 million cubic meters per year, for summer vegetables approximately 13.71 million cubic meters per year, and for fruit trees around 147.6 million cubic meters per year. The average irrigation water productivity for winter vegetables was approximately 3.42 kg/m³, for summer vegetables about 4.25 kg/m³, and for fruit trees around 4.45 kg/m³. Citrus production constituted approximately 98% of total fruit tree production, with an annual irrigation water consumption of about 144.6 million cubic meters and an average productivity of 4.5 kg/m³. The water quota per hectare was approximately 5,507.3 m³/ha/year.
Keywords: dams, water, irrigated agriculture, irrigation water efficiency, water allowance.
Full paper in Arabic: PDF