This technical paper provides an analysis of the spatio-temporal trends of precipitation in the Syrian Arab Republic from 1980 to 2021, an analysis of precipitation during the 2020/21 agricultural season by governorate, and the implications for agricultural production. It also provides key recommendations to address the impact of the erratic rainfall and water scarcity in order to build more effective food production systems that are resilient to climate-induced shocks. The recommendations also seek to prevent most crisis-affected farmers from sliding into food insecurity.

The impact of the poor harvest from the 2020/21 agricultural season on Syrian families is compounded by interrelated issues that include economic constraints, currency depreciation, poverty, conflict, population displacement and climate-induced factors.

The consequences of uneven temporal distribution of rainfall combined with high temperatures will not only affect the current cropping season but the effects may also be felt in the next one to two years.  For more information click here