WATAN, with support from the European Union, announced the establishment and launch of the Awassi Sheep Association for Protection and Development in the Harem area, located in the Idlib Governorate countryside in northwestern Syria. This is part of a strategic plan to enhance food security and sustainable rural development.
The association represents a turning point in supporting Awassi sheep breeders, aiming to serve all stakeholders in the value chain, from farmers to breeders and distributors.
The association’s establishment comes at a time when the region’s livestock sector has been facing significant challenges over the past few years. These have included a shortage of feed, rising feed prices, shrinking pastures, and a lack of veterinary support, all of which have led to the decline of this vital sector. From this perspective, the association’s importance lies in its role as a sustainable entity that organizes and coordinates efforts to maximize the utilization of Awassi sheep wealth. This association connects all segments of the value chain, including forage crop farmers, feed producers, milk collectors, veterinarians, slaughterhouses, and by-product processors. This coordination ensures improved quality and increased productivity at all levels, enhancing breeders’ income and ensuring their well-being.
The association’s main activities include:
Providing agricultural supplies and veterinary care services: The association will ensure breeders have access to quality feed and comprehensive veterinary care, including animal identification and genetic tracing, to ensure the herd health and an increase productivity.
Data and information exchange: The association will serve as a community for collecting and sharing data with academic entities and research centers to conduct studies.
Improving marketing and product access: The association will support the marketing of primary and secondary sheep products (such as meat, milk, wool, and leather) and facilitate their access to local community sellers and secondary product processors.
Technical support: The association will provide technical support to farmers and organize collective work to improve productivity and ensure sustainable development that increases farmers’ income and well-being.
The establishment of the Awassi Sheep Association represents a strategic step taken by Watan to support and develop the vital Awassi sheep sector, investing in food security and sustainable rural development in the region.