1.5 million dollars to support women in rural Syria from farming to production and markets

A new initiative called “Buthra” has been launched in Syria to support rural women and turn local agricultural production into a sustainable source of income. The project is funded with $1.5 million from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and Syria’s Ministry of Agriculture.

The initiative includes establishing and equipping four women-led production centers in Zabadani, Hujeira, Al-Ghab, and Al-Safsafa, providing income opportunities for 520 people, including 395 rural women and their families.

The centers will process local agricultural and food products, including jams, dried fruits, herbs, dairy products, cheese, vegetables, and citrus fruits. They will also produce compost and provide services related to livestock farming.

The project goes beyond production. It will train 440 people in business management, marketing, food safety, and agriculture, while also creating sales points to help products reach the market.
The food-processing units are expected to generate around $260,000 annually, in addition to approximately $13,000 from compost production. Part of the revenue will be reinvested to help sustain the centers after the funding period ends.

The initiative will run for 18 months and aims to contribute to improving livelihoods and food security for around 285,000 people, both directly and indirectly, across several rural areas in Syria.