On a 60-square-meter project east of Homs, Hassan al-Daher is testing hydroponics as a way to grow lettuce, cucumbers and strawberries on limited land and with far less water than conventional farming.

His experiment reflects growing interest in soil-free agriculture in Syria, where recurring drought, water shortages and shrinking farmland are driving a search for more water-efficient ways to produce crops.

Hydroponics grows plants without soil, with roots receiving nutrients through a water-based solution. Hossam Kayyal, an expert in hydroponic farming, told SANA that systems which recycle irrigation water can reduce water use by between 75% and 90% compared with conventional agriculture.

But those savings come with challenges. Farmers need technical knowledge, specialized equipment and reliable energy, while commercial viability depends on production costs, crop choice and market demand.

A small-scale test in Homs
Al-Daher said water shortages and soil conditions east of Homs led him to search for a farming method that could maintain production while reducing water use.

His project remains experimental, but an initial lettuce crop produced encouraging results. He later tested hybrid cucumbers and strawberries.

Equipment for the project cost about $4,500 and included a greenhouse, tanks, pumps, growing systems, instruments for measuring acidity and salinity, and nutrient solutions.

Al-Daher said costs vary according to the size and type of system and that it was too early to reach a final assessment of his project’s economic viability.

© Syrian Arab News Agency

Water savings, technical demands
Hydroponic systems can collect irrigation water after use and return it to a reservoir for reuse, reducing losses. Kayyal said this makes the technique particularly suited to areas where water or farmland is limited, or where available land is difficult to cultivate conventionally.

The method, however, requires close monitoring of water, nutrients, acidity, temperature and ventilation.

Al-Daher said he initially encountered problems involving plant roots and management of the nutrient solution, underscoring the need for training and daily supervision.

Energy costs remain a challenge
Energy is another major consideration. Electricity, nutrient solutions, seeds, seedlings and maintenance are among the main operating costs, while greenhouses can require heating in winter and cooling and ventilation during hotter periods.

Solar power could reduce long-term electricity costs by running pumps and ventilation systems, al-Daher said, though its installation and maintenance costs must also be factored into a project’s feasibility.

He said wider adoption of hydroponics would depend on three main factors: technical knowledge and training, choosing crops suited to local markets and conditions, and controlling energy and production costs.

Projects move beyond experiments
Kayyal said soil-free farming has moved beyond initial experiments in Syria, with medium-sized private projects operating in several provinces alongside smaller household initiatives.

He said successful projects require technical expertise, protected growing environments and sufficient energy, while the choice of system should primarily depend on the crop and its requirements.

Development organizations have also introduced soil-free farming into agricultural programs.

In August, Caritas Syria and the Damascus and Damascus Countryside Agriculture Directorate displayed vertical and hydroponic farming models as part of a home-gardening project in the Qatana area.

In February, the Agricultural Engineers Syndicate signed a memorandum of understanding with the Friends of JICA Association in Syria that includes training and expertise in soil-free agriculture.

Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan has said the ministry is encouraging crops with higher economic returns and lower water requirements.

Syria’s National Agricultural Sector Plan for 2026-2030 also includes measures aimed at adapting agriculture to climate change and water scarcity and promoting climate-smart farming.

For growers such as al-Daher, the test is whether hydroponics’ potential water savings can outweigh the costs of equipment, energy and technical management and produce crops that remain competitive in the market.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency