Al-Hasakah governorate (northeastern Syria) is preparing to receive one of its largest wheat seasons in recent years, amid expectations of abundant production boosted by heavy rainfall in the region during the current agricultural season.
In this context, the Syrian Grain Establishment announced it has raised the readiness of its centers across different parts of the governorate, affirming its ability to receive farmers’ crops and ensure their marketing in line with approved procedures.
The director of the Syrian Grain Establishment branch in al-Hasakah, Abdul Hamid Dawood, said the establishment expects to receive between 800,000 and one million tons of wheat during the 2026 season, while preliminary estimates indicate that total production in the Jazira region could reach around 1.2 million tons.
Dawood’s remarks came during a press interview in which he discussed the establishment’s preparations for the current season and the technical and logistical arrangements completed before the start of receiving operations.
Delayed Harvest Postpones Receiving
Wheat receiving centers had been scheduled to begin work at the start of this June, but delays in harvesting due to weather conditions postponed the launch of marketing and receiving operations until next week.
Dawood explained that the current season was marked by heavy rainfall, which had a positive impact on agricultural crops but also contributed to delaying wheat ripening and the start of harvesting compared with previous years.
He added that the establishment has fully completed its preparations and that the centers are ready to receive the crop as soon as harvesting begins in different parts of the governorate.
20 Centers to Receive the Crop
According to the Syrian Grain Establishment, 20 centers have been prepared across different areas of al-Hasakah to receive wheat from farmers.
Dawood confirmed that these centers are operationally and technically ready, noting that they cover the governorate’s geography in a way that makes it easier for farmers to market their crops without having to travel long distances.
The centers include locations in al-Hasakah, Qamishli, Amuda, al-Malikiyah, al-Qahtaniyah, Tal Hamis, al-Yarubiyah, Ras al-Ain, Mabrouka, and other main agricultural areas in the governorate.
Despite the establishment’s expectations of receiving large quantities of the crop, Dawood acknowledged the possibility of some challenges related to storage capacity, due to the presence of reserve stocks from the previous season inside some silos and warehouses.
However, he explained that the establishment has already begun transferring quantities of reserve stocks to other governorates inside Syria, to free additional space and secure the capacity needed to receive the new crop.
Large Reserve Stock
The director of the Syrian Grain Establishment branch said the current reserve stock in the governorate’s centers ranges between 400,000 and 500,000 tons of wheat.
He noted that transport operations are continuing in parallel with preparations for the current season, ensuring that no bottlenecks or delays occur in receiving farmers’ crops.
He confirmed that the establishment is committed to buying all quantities of wheat offered, explaining that receiving operations will continue as long as farmers have crops and will not stop at a specific time limit or quantity ceiling.
Production Expected to Exceed One Million Tons
Official estimates reflect the scale of improvement in the current agricultural season compared with previous seasons affected by drought and low rainfall.
According to Dawood, wheat production in the Jazira region could reach between 1.1 million and 1.2 million tons, quantities that far exceed the region’s local needs.
He said the Jazira region’s annual wheat requirement ranges between only 350,000 and 400,000 tons, meaning there is a large surplus that could be used to strengthen strategic reserves or supply other areas inside the country.
Electronic Platform to Organize Turns
As part of efforts to facilitate marketing procedures, the Syrian Grain Establishment announced the adoption of an electronic platform that allows farmers to reserve their turns in advance at receiving centers.
According to Dawood, farmers can register their names and choose the center where they want to market their crop, allowing them to deliver their wheat and complete their transactions within one day, while reducing congestion and waiting in front of centers.
He noted that the step aims to speed up receiving operations and ease the burden on farmers during the peak period.
Purchase Prices and Payment Mechanism
Regarding approved prices, the branch director said the government set the purchase price for first-grade wheat at 5.5 million Syrian pounds per ton, while prices for other grades vary according to approved quality standards.
He added that the establishment receives wheat in all four grades, with shipments subject to inspection and classification according to technical conditions set by the relevant authorities.
He confirmed that farmers will receive their financial dues shortly after delivering the crop, noting that three banks in al-Hasakah, Qamishli, and al-Darbasiyah have been designated to pay farmers for the value of their wheat.
He also called on farmers to market their crops to government centers, stressing that the establishment has prepared its technical and administrative staff to ensure work proceeds without obstacles.
Solar Power to Strengthen Work Continuity
In a step aimed at addressing electricity problems in the region, the Syrian Grain Establishment announced the implementation of a project to install solar power systems and surveillance cameras in all its receiving and storage centers in al-Hasakah.
The establishment said the project aims to ensure work continuity and secure the operation of weighbridges and receiving equipment in the event of power outages, in addition to strengthening monitoring and protection systems inside the centers.
The project included the centers of Sabah al-Khair, al-Milbiyah, Ghuwayran, al-Hasakah, Tal Hajar, Kabka, Hittin, Amuda, Qamishli silos, Tawarij, Tal Hamis, Tal Marouf, al-Qahtaniyah, Tal Alou, al-Yarubiyah, Rmelan, al-Batra, al-Malikiyah, Ras al-Ain, al-Safh, and Mabrouka.
The establishment is relying on these preparations to raise operational efficiency during the current season, especially with expectations of receiving large quantities of wheat that require high readiness and continuous ability to work without interruption.
As the al-Hasakah areas await the start of the harvest season in the coming days, the relevant institutions appear to face a real test in managing one of the largest wheat seasons in recent years, while farmers hope that abundant production will improve their economic conditions and ensure their crops are marketed smoothly and on time.
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