Piloting a Climate-Adaptive Technique: Conservation Agriculture in Northwest Syria
Food security in Northwest Syria is under increasing threat from climate change. Water scarcity, prolonged droughts, irregular rainfall, and rising temperatures have combined to reduce crop yields and livestock production, leaving farming communities more vulnerable than ever. Floods, soil degradation, and displacement further erode agricultural resilience, making local food production unstable and deepening reliance on imports and humanitarian aid.
To address these urgent challenges, the Syria Response Innovation Lab (RIL)—in partnership with Shafak Organization, World Vision Syria Response (WVSR), and Field Ready Middle East, and in close collaboration with the Food Security Cluster (FS Cluster)—is proud to announce the launch of a new pilot project: “Conservation Agriculture – Towards a Sustainable Agricultural Future.”
The project is being implemented in Al-Bab, rural Aleppo, an area heavily impacted by climate change and food insecurity. It represents the first pilot in Northwest Syria designed to introduce conservation agriculture as a climate-adaptive farming technique.
🌍 What is Conservation Agriculture?
Conservation agriculture is a proven approach to farming that helps communities adapt to climate change while restoring the health of soils and protecting scarce water resources. It is based on three key principles:
Minimum soil disturbance through no-till farming, which protects soil structure and reduces erosion.
Permanent soil cover using crop residues or cover crops, which conserves water, suppresses weeds, and protects against temperature extremes.
Crop rotation and diversification, which restore soil fertility, improve biodiversity, and reduce pest and disease cycles.
Together, these practices reduce production costs, conserve water, and build soil health—helping farmers grow more food with fewer resources while protecting the land for future generations.
🌱 Project Goals and Activities
Through this pilot, the project aims to strengthen farmers’ resilience against drought and enhance food security for local communities. Key activities include:
Empowering farmers in drought-affected areas with training and tools to adopt conservation agriculture practices.
Forming farmer groups to share knowledge, strengthen cooperation, and receive modern seeders designed for no-till farming.
Providing hands-on training on the principles and techniques of conservation agriculture, ensuring that farmers can put new methods into practice immediately.
💡 Why It Matters
By introducing conservation agriculture in Northwest Syria, this initiative takes an important step towards building climate resilience and food security in one of the region’s most fragile contexts. The pilot will not only support farming families today but also contribute to long-term sustainable agriculture, reducing dependence on aid and helping communities rebuild their livelihoods with dignity and strength.
This project embodies the spirit of innovation—bringing together humanitarian actors, local organizations, and global expertise to co-create solutions tailored to the realities of Northwest Syria.