Introduction

Ensuring adequate quality and accessibility of livestock feed holds significant importance in maintaining sustainable livestock production within Syria. This not only enhances the well-being of the livestock but also plays a crucial role in overall food security and the restoration of livelihoods in the country by enhancing the animal feed situation and consequently boosting animal production. The adverse effects of climate-induced shocks, particularly in the semi-arid areas, have led to a growing concern for the availability of feed resources.

Livestock are valuable assets for communities, offering essential resources such as meat, eggs, and highly nutritious milk. Before the crisis in 2011, livestock played a substantial role in Syria’s agricultural activities, constituting 40% of the total output and engaging 20% of the rural labor force. Livestock rearing served as the primary source of food and income for 35% of rural households.

Despite the prolonged crisis, the livestock sector, along with the broader agricultural sector, remains a pivotal
component of the economy, significantly contributing to the food and nutrition security of the rural population.

Nevertheless, the livestock sector has encountered severe challenges in recent years. The collapse of government services, combined with the impacts of climate change, has led to a significant decline in livestock numbers.

This decline has far-reaching consequences, potentially impacting both rural and peri-urban livelihoods, as well as overall food security. Challenges such as deteriorating pastures, high costs of processed animal feed and water, limited access to veterinary services, and the prevalence of substandard animal production inputs in local markets pose substantial risks to the livestock sector. Various short-term measures, including free mass treatments against parasites, livestock vaccinations, and limited distribution of fodder and restocking, have been implemented to mitigate these challenges. However, the primary concern remains the availability of animal feed, prompting intervention from humanitarian organizations.

The main sources of animal feed in Syria encompass cultivated green and conserved fodder, along with crop residues and processed by-products. Barley, wheat, and other types of forage crops like legumes are preferred as they are considered rich sources of protein for livestock. Additionally, wheat bran, straw, silage, and feed mixtures comprising various types of green fodders and forage crops, concentrates, minerals, and vitamins are crucial in providing essential nutrients for animal growth and production.

Study Objectives:

• Map the geographical coverage of animal feed/fodder factory/sales facilities across NWS.
• Provide new insights and reduce the information gaps on animal feed production and animal feed and fodder markets across NWS.
• Highlight the current practices and challenges of main business actors in the animal feed and fodder value chain in NWS.
• Highlight and map the capacity and functionality of animal feed and fodder production facilities in NWS and assess facility building structures affected by the earthquake.
• Present the seasonal price, availability, and production volume fluctuations pattern for animal feed and fodder in NWS.
• Explore the sales trend in the business of animal feed and fodder, including trade modalities, supply, and demand in NWS.
• Assess and compare the percentage of imported fodder versus fodder crops cultivated in NWS in terms of prices and quality.
• Interactive Dashboard: The dashboard provides a summarized view of numerical metrics related to production/
• sales volumes, production costs, selling prices, and raw material costs for each type of fodder and animal feed.

The dashboard link is also available under External links on the page below.