Solidarity Fields in Jaramana: Reviving Local Seed Production in Syria

• The "Solidarity Fields in Jaramana" initiative, launched in March 2026, aims to revive local and indigenous seed production on the outskirts of Damascus.
• The project is part of a larger effort to restore agricultural autonomy, combat the decline in farming, and provide food security amidst economic instability and climate change.
• Key focus includes sourcing seeds from household gardens, eliminating dependency on chemical inputs, and demonstrating sustainable, community-based agricultural models.

Project Background and Origins

• The Jaramana site is an extension of the "Solidarity Fields and Dignity" project, which originated in Greece in 2025 by Syrian refugee Suleiman Dakdouk.
• It combines efforts with the "Shughl wa Fan" (Work and Art) initiative, founded in 2008 to integrate art, community engagement, and environmental awareness.
• The initiative uses approximately 300 dunams (75 acres) of land for seedling cultivation, aiming to recover crop varieties that nearly vanished due to war and drought.

Impact of Local Seeds

• According to FAO data, community-based seed systems supply 80 to 90 percent of seeds for self-pollinated crops in many regions.
• Indigenous seeds offer critical advantages:
  • Better adaptation to local climate conditions.
  • High genetic diversity, enhancing resistance to disease.
  • Reduced dependence on expensive imported agricultural inputs.
  • Elimination of fertilizers and chemical pesticides, reducing production costs.

Challenges and Goals

• The Syrian agricultural sector suffered significantly between 2011 and 2016, with the rural population shrinking by 50 percent and massive destruction of infrastructure and seed stocks.
• The initiative serves as a model for post-war and post-disaster recovery, shifting farmers away from reliance on imported varieties.
• Coordinators like Muhannad Deeb intend for the project's results to influence the broader farming community, proving that traditional, local methods are viable and necessary for long-term sustainability.