The first project funded by IFAD in Syria had the objectives of increasing production of rainfed agriculture in the underdeveloped provinces of Dara’a, Sweida and Quneitra, and of improving poor people’s access to land. Project activities successfully reversed an increasing trend of migration from rural to urban areas.

The project developed an effective de-rocking technique that was a model for later operations, and it reclaimed 37,000 ha of land, an amount well beyond expectations.

A technical assistance programme introduced the use of folk songs to communicate simple technological information to rural poor people.

Source: IFAD