Daraa, Sept. 29 (SANA) Farmers in Syria’s Daraa province planted 1,195 hectares (11.95 sq. kilometers) of eggplants this season, almost 3 times the deliberate 420 hectares (4.2 sq. kilometers), with output forecast at 24,000 tonnes, an agriculture official mentioned Tuesday.
Hassan al-Ahmad, head of agricultural economics and planning on the Daraa Agriculture Directorate, mentioned the crop would provide native markets and households making ready meals for winter.
Pepper planting additionally exceeded its goal, reaching 1,127 hectares (11.27 sq. kilometers) in opposition to a deliberate 408 hectares (4.08 sq. kilometers), al-Ahmad mentioned. Pepper output is estimated at about 22,000 tonnes.
Farmer Abdul Azim al-Zoubi mentioned eggplants have been promoting for 35 Syrian kilos ($0.29) to 45 Syrian kilos (0.37) a kilogram. Demand sometimes rises from September by means of November as households make makdous, he mentioned. The standard Syrian dish is made by stuffing boiled and drained small eggplants with purple chili peppers, walnuts and salt, then preserving them in olive oil. Farmers provide markets in Daraa, Tafas and Damascus, in addition to different elements of the province.
Al-Zoubi mentioned rising prices for agricultural provides have been weighing on farmers and known as for decrease customs duties on fertilizers and pesticides.
Daraa resident Raeda al-Hussein mentioned making makdous at dwelling prices lower than shopping for it ready-made. She mentioned she prepares about 100 kilograms of eggplants every year, together with peppers, oil, walnuts and garlic.
R.H/M.F
