Syrian livestock farmers hampered by drought

DARBASIYA, Syria – Syrian livestock farmers are struggling to keep up with the effects of drought and feed prices.

Khidir Khazi has been raising sheep in northeast Syria for 25 years. He is now forced to sell off half of his 110 sheep to mitigate his recent financial losses due to the drought and a hike in feed prices.

He complains of a lack of support from the authorities.

“My sheep have lost a lot of weight, so I am forced to sell them. Weak sheep do not sell, because they do not have enough meat,” said Khazi, noting that fodder is unaffordable.

Segirka livestock market is located in the village of Darbasiya in Hasaka province. Its merchants report that sheep and goat prices have dropped by 70 percent.

Compared to last year, the price of domestic livestock feed has increased ten-fold, according to trader Mohammed Ismael.

Ismael also says the product is imported from Turkey to Manbij. The price has hiked due to extra export charges, [border] customs.

Low rainfall levels and high temperatures caused by climate change, as well as upstream damming are depleting water supplies in Syria.

Low water levels in the Euphrates put electricity generation at two dams in northern Syria at risk, leaving many fields dry.