Syria’s Minister of Agriculture, Amjad Badr, met with Vincenzo Caputo, Director of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Umbria and Marche (IZSUM), on Thursday to discuss expanding agricultural cooperation and supporting Syria’s efforts to rebuild its agriculture sector.
The meeting, in Damascus, was also attended by Italy’s Ambassador to Syria, Stefano Ravagnan, the Director General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), and the FAO Representative.
The talks focused on boosting agricultural production, particularly in the areas of olive and wheat cultivation, while also broadening cooperation to include livestock vaccination programs and tackling transboundary animal diseases.
Ambassador Ravagnan emphasized the importance of supporting Syria’s agricultural sector, highlighting that the Italian Institute is the only Italian entity authorized to operate abroad, enabling it to facilitate the exchange of expertise and technology between the two countries.
Caputo, Director of the Italian Institute, noted that cooperation had already begun through a series of regular technical meetings. The FAO Representative also expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting efforts to protect Syria’s livestock resources.
In his remarks, the Director of ACSAD stressed the value of leveraging Italy’s experience in livestock immunization and veterinary training, affirming the organization’s readiness to offer technical assistance.
The expanded cooperation between Syria and Italy represents a significant step towards rebuilding the country’s agricultural industry, fostering both immediate recovery and long-term sustainability.
