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Close to the countryside by central Syria, crop lands ought to be golden and abundant with crops.

However, one agriculturist's fields remains barren, producing only a fraction of its usual yield.

"The current season has been catastrophic as a result of the lack of rain," stated the 46-year-old farmer.

The acres generated merely 190kg per unit—significantly less than the typical amount harvested in a average season.

"{We lost what we put in; we've lost money. I can't afford next season's planting," he added.

Having a pair of teenage daughters to support, the farmer is seeking funds from relatives to make ends meet.

Countrywide Emergency

The plight is echoed around the nation, where the most severe rain shortage in many years has slashed crop yields by a significant portion.

A anticipated wheat shortfall of 2.73 million tonnes is expected this year—representing the annual dietary needs of more than 16.25 million Syrians.

Rising Hunger

Without more food aid or the ability to purchase supplies, the crisis may worsen significantly.

Approximately 14,000,000 Syrians—about 60% the people—presently find it hard to meet their nutritional needs.

Among them, over nine million experience acute food shortage, with 1.3 million in dire situations.

Rainfall has fallen by about a large percentage, crippling 75% of dependent agricultural land.

"This means the line between households staying in their communities or having to migrate," stated an official.

Household Struggles

Agricultural communities are parting with livestock to compensate for lost incomes, reducing their meals.

Hunger-related issues levels among minors and pregnant women are growing.

Grain is a staple food in Syria, used for flatbread and traditional dishes—low-cost items that are now rising in cost.

For Sanaa Mahamid who is 39, purchasing food has become increasingly hard.

Having several children, she depends on her sons' wages, which are not essential expenses.

"Occasionally we resort to cash only to buy bread," she explained.

Last year, a portion of bread cost five hundred money, but now it is four thousand five hundred.

To feed her family, it takes multiple portions a daily—an expense of nine thousand currency units, excluding other food.

Official and International Actions

This crisis presents a major problem for the government, which is working to restore the country after a long period of unrest.

Aid organizations are supplying food support for those most vulnerable, but experts caution that these are stopgap solutions.

"We're trying to enable farmers in the agricultural industry," commented a program director.

Financial payments have been given to agricultural families who lost their entire yield.

But, after a long time of conflict, Syria's agrarian industry was already weakened by financial crisis, damaged water systems, and unusable fields.

Irrigation Crisis

Within vital agricultural zones, wheat fields need numerous irrigation rounds per season, but as a result of lack of precipitation, many growers are unable to sustain.

"The grower's primary challenge is obtaining irrigation," explained a local agriculture director.

Water needs energy, and costs have risen dramatically, costing 11,000 to 12,000 pounds per gallon.

Soaring energy prices and regular interruptions have rendered irrigation systems unaffordable for many farmers.

Long-Term Solutions

A priority for the authorities is funding irrigation projects—like renewable energy watering systems—to make water more affordable.

Yet those plans require long-term investment and money—advantages that agricultural workers do not have right now.

So, for countless citizens throughout the country, there is only one thing to do in the coming months: wait for rainfall.