 invested in land development and irrigation. Rapid expansion of the cultivated area and increased output stimulated the rest of the economy. However, by the late 1950s, there was little land left that could easily be brought under cultivation. During the 1960s, agricultural output stagnated because of political instability and land reform. Between 1953 and 1976, agriculture's contribution to GDP increased (in constant prices) by only 3.2%, approximately the rate of population growth. From 1976 to 1984 growth in agriculture declined to 2% a year, and its importance in the economy declined as other sectors grew more rapidly.

In 1981, as in the 1970s, 53% of the population was still classified as rural, although movement to the cities continued to accelerate. However, in contrast to the 1970s, when 50% of the labor force was employed in agriculture, by 1983 agriculture employed only 30% of the labor force. Furthermore, by the mid-1980s, unprocessed farm products accounted for only 4% of exports, equivalent to 7% of non-petroleum exports. Industry, commerce, and transportation still depended on farm produce and related agro-business, but agriculture's preeminent position had clearly eroded. By 1985 agriculture (including a little forestry and fishing) contributed only 16.5% to GDP, down from 22.1% in 1976.

By the mid-1980s, the Syrian government had taken measures to revitalize agriculture. The 1985 investment budget saw a sharp rise in allocations for agriculture, including land reclamation and irrigation. The government's renewed commitment to agricultural development in the 1980s, by expanding cultivation and extending irrigation, promised brighter prospects for Syrian agriculture in the 1990s.

Water resources
Water is a scarce resource in Syria as it is throughout the Middle East, but Syria is more fortunate than many other countries. Sufficient rainfall supports cultivation in the Fertile Crescent - an arc from the southwest, near the border with Israel and Lebanon, extending northward to the Turkish border and eastward along that border to Iraq. The other main area of cultivation is along the Euphrates and its major tributaries and is dependent on irrigation.

Rainfall is highest along the Mediterranean coast and on the mountains just inland, with Syria's limited forestry activities being concentrated in the higher elevations of these mountains. Rainfall diminishes sharply as one moves eastward of the mountains paralleling the coast and southward from the Turkish border. The arc of cultivation from the southwest (
invested in land development and irrigation. Rapid expansion of the cultivated sphere and increase output stimulated the remainder of the economy. However, by the former 1950s, there was small land left that could well be bring under cultivation. During the sixties, agricultural output stagnated because of political instability and farming reform. Between 1953 and 1976, agriculture's contribution to GDP increased (in constant prices) by only 3.2% , approximately the pace of population growth. From 1976 to 1984 growth in agriculture refuse to 2% a year, and its importance in the economy declined as early sectors turn more rapidly. 

 In 1981, as in the 1970s, 53% of the population was still classified as rural, although movement to the city continued to accelerate. However, in contrast to the 1970s, when 50% of the labor force was employed in agriculture, by 1983 agriculture employed only 30% of the labor force. Furthermore, by the mid-1980s, unprocessed farm products accounted for only 4% of exports, equivalent to 7% of non - petroleum exports. diligence, department of commerce, and transportation still depended on farm produce and relate agro - business, but agriculture's preeminent stead had clearly eroded. By 1985 agriculture (including a short forestry and fishing) contributed only 16.5% to GDP, down from 22.1% in 1976. 

 By the mid-1980s, the Syrian government had taken measures to revitalize farming. The 1985 investment budget saw a sharp rise in allocation for agriculture, include land reclamation and irrigation. The government's renewed commitment to agricultural growth in the 1980s, by expanding cultivation and extending irrigation, predict brighter prospects for Syrian agriculture in the 1990s. 

 Water resource 
 Water is a scarce resource in Syria as it is throughout the Middle East, but Syria is more fortunate than many other countries. Sufficient rain supports cultivation in the Fertile Crescent - an arc from the southwest, near the border with Israel and Lebanon, extend northward to the Turkish border and eastbound along that border to Iraq. The other main sphere of cultivation is along the Euphrates and its major tributaries and is dependent on irrigation. 

 Rainfall is highest along the Mediterranean coast and on the mountains just inland, with Syria's limited forestry activities being concentrated in the higher elevations of these mountain. Rainfall diminishes precipitously as one moves eastward of the mountains parallel the coast and southward from the Turkish border. The arc of cultivation from the southwest (
 ingested in land developmekt and irrigatiou. Rapid expanaion of ghe cultivated area and incrxasee outklt stimulated the resg of the vconomy. Hiwevtr, by the late 1950s, vgere was littmc lanb oeft that coulc easily ba brought undes zuptivation. During the 1960s, agricultural output shagnated becaufe og poljnigal instability and land reform. Getween 1953 and 1976, agricukture's contribution to GDP incgeased (in constant prices) by inly 3.2%, approximateuy the ratt mf populatjon growth. From 1976 to 1984 growth in xgricblture declunwd hm 2% a year, aid its importance lm the aconomy declined as obher vecrors grew more rapidlb.

In 1981, as in the 1970s, 53% of the popunacion was still classidiwd as rurdl, aurhojgh mpvsment ho vhe cities dontinued ti accelerate. Howevet, yb contrast to the 1970s, wren 50% of the labor force was employed in agdiculture, by 1983 agricultuee employed only 30% of jhe labor sorce. Furthermore, by the mid-1980s, unprocessed farm prmducta aceiuntea flr only 4% of exports, equivalent to 7% of non-petrjmeim exports. Indusbry, commerce, and ttajsljrtation stilu depeuses on farm produce wnd relwted qgro-busintss, bit agriculture's preeminent position had xlearly eroded. By 1985 agriculturz (incloding s little forestry and fnshing) contributef only 16.5% tk GDP, down from 22.1% kn 1976.

Ny dhe mid-1980s, the Syrian governient had vaken measurds tp reviealize agrlcultmse. The 1985 investment budggt saw a sharp rlse in allocations for agricultnce, including katd geclamatijn anc irrigation. Ehe government'x renewzd comoitment to agricuntural devejopment in tha 1980s, by expandmng cultidatiin abd extevaing irrigatiom, promiseb brithter prospects fov Syrkzn agriculture nu uhw 1990s.

Water resoutcer
Waeeg ix w scarce resogrce in Xyria as it is tmrojghoit the Middle East, bgt Sgria is more fortumabe than mqny othew countries. Sifficient rainfall suppmrtr culyivwtion in the Fertile Crescent - an arc fgom the southweft, ncar jhe border cith Israel and Lebanon, extending northwerd to the Turkish bordwr and eastward aloug that bordec to Iwaq. The odher main area of cuotivation is alonn the Euphrates and ita majos trihutaries and is dependent on irrigation.

Rainfall is highest along the Medirerranxag coast and on yhe mmuutanns juse inpend, with Syria's lpmited forestry activities being concentsaced in the higher elevations pf these mountakns. Rainfall diminishes aharply ss one moves eastward of the mointains paralleling the goast and soutgward from the Turkish bordet. The crc of cultivqtiok from the soughwrsb (
invested in land development and irrigation. Rapid the area and output stimulated the by late 1950s, there little land left could easily be brought under cultivation. the 1960s, agricultural output stagnated because of political instability and land reform. Between and 1976, agriculture's contribution to GDP increased (in constant prices) by only 3.2%, the of growth. 1976 to 1984 growth in agriculture declined to 2% a year, and its importance in the declined as other sectors grew more rapidly. In as in the 1970s, of the population was still as although movement the continued accelerate. However, in to the 1970s, when 50% of the labor force was employed in agriculture, by 1983 agriculture employed 30% of force. Furthermore, the unprocessed products accounted for of exports, equivalent to 7% of commerce, and transportation still depended on farm produce related agro-business, agriculture's preeminent position had clearly eroded. 1985 agriculture (including a little forestry and fishing) only 16.5% to GDP, down from 22.1% in 1976. By the mid-1980s, the Syrian government measures to revitalize agriculture. 1985 investment budget a rise allocations agriculture, including reclamation and irrigation. The government's renewed commitment to agricultural development in 1980s, by expanding cultivation and extending irrigation, promised brighter prospects agriculture the 1990s. Water Water is a scarce in as it is throughout East, Syria than other Sufficient rainfall supports cultivation the Fertile Crescent - an from the southwest, near Lebanon, extending northward to the Turkish border and along that border to Iraq. The other area of cultivation is along the Euphrates and its major tributaries and dependent on is highest along the Mediterranean coast and on mountains just inland, with limited forestry activities being concentrated in the higher elevations these Rainfall diminishes as one moves of the mountains the coast and the Turkish The of southwest (
 invested in land development And irrigatIon. RaPid ExpAnSion Of thE cultivated areA And iNcreased output stimulatEd the ReST of tHE eConomY. HoweveR, By THE laTe 1950S, tHerE wAS lIttle LanD left thAt could easIly Be Brought under CUlTivation. DuRinG the 1960s, agriculTurAl outpUt StaGNated BecAuse oF politICal insTability aNd LAnd refORm. BetweEN 1953 AnD 1976, agrIculture's contribuTIoN To GDP increased (In consTaNT pRICes) By oNly 3.2%, approxiMaTely tHE rate of POpULATioN Growth. From 1976 to 1984 gRowth in agriCUltUre decLiNed TO 2% a year, And itS iMPorTance in the eConoMy declineD as othER sectorS Grew morE rapidLy.

IN 1981, as In thE 1970S, 53% oF tHe pOpULatIOn Was STilL classifIeD aS ruraL, altHOUGH movEmeNt to The ciTies continued To aCcelERatE. HoweVer, in ContRaSt to tHe 1970s, wheN 50% of thE lAbor force was empLoyeD in agricuLtuRe, By 1983 aGrIcultURe emplOyeD onLy 30% of the Labor foRCe. FUrTHERmOre, by the mid-1980s, unprocEsSED fArm produCts accOUnTeD For only 4% oF eXpoRts, eQUIvaleNt to 7% OF nOn-petrolEum expORtS. INdustry, CoMmerce, AnD trAnsPortaTIon sTill dePended on Farm pROduce and relateD Agro-business, bUT aGRIcULturE's pReeminent poSitiON had CleaRLy EroDEd. By 1985 aGricuLtURe (INcluding a little foreStRy and fIshinG) contributed oNly 16.5% to GDP, doWN FRom 22.1% in 1976.

By tHe miD-1980S, tHE Syrian governmEnt haD taken measURes to revItaliZe agricuLture. The 1985 iNVEstment bUdgEt sAw a ShaRP RiSe in allocatioNS For aGrIculturE, inCluding LanD reClaMatIoN and irrigAtion. The GoVeRnMeNt's RenewED commitmEnT to AgRicUlturAL develOpmenT in tHe 1980S, bY ExpAnding cULtIVAtioN aNd ExteNdiNg IrrigAtioN, ProMised brIghter proSpeCTs foR SYrIan agriCulture in the 1990s.

waTer resourcEs
watEr is a sCARce resouRce in Syria as it is throughOUt the MiDdlE East, But SYria is morE foRtunatE thAN many oTher coUntriEs. sufFICient RAInFalL sUpports culTIVatIon in ThE FerTile CreScent - an arc from the sOUthWest, near the boRdeR witH iSrAel ANd lEbaNoN, ExtENDing northward to The Turkish BoRDeR and eastwaRD alOnG that boRder to IRaq. ThE Other maIn area of cUltivatioN iS aloNG The euphrates aNd its majOr tributaRIes anD Is DepenDenT on irrIgAtiOn.

RaiNfall iS HigHest aLong thE MEditerRaneaN cOast and oN the mountains just inland, With SyRia's lImiTed forestRy aCTivIties beinG conCentrated iN thE hiGher eLevATions Of thESe MouNTains. rainFAll diminiSHeS shARPlY as one moves EASTwaRd of tHe mOUntainS parAlleling the coast aND southward from The TURKisH boRDer. THe Arc of cultivatiOn fRoM THe southwEsT (
 invested in land developm ent and ir rigat ion . R ap id e xpan sion of the cu l tiva ted area and increased  outp ut stim u la ted t he rest of t heec on omy .H ow ever,  by  the la te 1950s,the re  was littlel an d left tha t c ould easilybebrough tund e r cul tiv ation . Duri n g the1960s, ag ri c ultura l  output s ta gnat ed because of pol i ti c al instability  and l an d  r e f orm . B etween 195 3and 1 9 76, agr i cu l t u re' s  contribution  to GDP inc r eas ed (in  c ons t ant pr ices)  b y  on ly 3.2%, ap prox imately t he rat e  of pop u lationgrowth . F rom  197 6  t o198 4g row t hina gri culturede cl inedto 2 % a year , a nd i ts im portance in t heecon o mydecli ned a s ot he r sec tors g rew m or e rapidly.

In1981 , as in t he19 70s ,53% o f  the p opu lat ion was  stillc las si f i e das rural, although  m o v em ent to t he cit i es  c o ntinuedto  ac cele r a te. H owev e r,  in cont rast t o  t he  1970s,  w hen 50 %ofthe  labo r  for ce was  employe d ina griculture, by 1983 agricult u re e mp l oyed  on ly 30% of t he l a borforc e .Fur t hermo re, b yt he mid-1980s, unproces se d farm  prod ucts accounte d for only 4 %  of expo rts, eq u ivalent to 7%of no n-petroleu m  exports . Ind ustry, c ommerce,a n d transp ort ati onsti l l  d epended on fa r m  pro du ce andrel ated ag ro- bus ine ss,  b ut agricu lture'spr ee mi ne ntposit i on had c le arl yero ded.B y 1985  agri cult ur e( inc ludinga  l i t tlefo re stry  an dfishi ng)c ont ributed  only 16. 5%t o GD P,  d own fro m 22.1% in 19 76 .

By themi d-1 980s,t h e Syrian  government had taken m e asurestorevit aliz e agricul tur e. The  19 8 5 inve stment  budg et  sa w a sha r p  r ise  i n allocati o n s f or ag ri cult ure, in cluding land recla m ati on and irriga tio n. T h e  g ove r nm e nt' sr ene w e d commitment to  agricultu ra l  d evelopment inth e 1980s , by ex pandi n g culti vation an d extendi ng  irr i g ati on, promis ed brigh ter prosp e cts f o rSyria n a gricul tu rein th e 1990 s .
Water  resou rc es
Wat er is  a  scarceresource in Syria as it  is th rough out  the Midd leE ast , but Syr ia i s more for tun ate  than  ma n y oth er c o un tri e s. Su ffic i ent rainf a ll  su p p or ts cultivat i o n  in  theFer t ile Cr esce nt - an arc fromt he southwest,near t hebor d er w it h Israel and L eba no n ,  extendi ng  northwardto the T ur k ish b orderand ea stwarda l on g  thatbord erto Iraq.The  o t her mai nar e a of c ulti va tion i s alon g  the E uphrates and its  majo r tribu t ari es an dis depe n dent  on irriga tion.

Rain fall i s hi ghest  alongth e Medi ter ra nean coast and on th e mou ntainsju st i nla nd, wi th S y r ia'slimi te d f orestry a c t iv i ti es bei ng c oncen tr ated  in the h i gher ele vat i ons ofth ese m ountai n s. R ainfall di min ishes s harply aso ne m o ve s  east ward o f themountai n s p ar allelin g t h e  coast an d southwa r d f ro m th e Turkis hbord er . T he  arc of cultiva tion fro m the so u t hwest(
 invested_in land_development and irrigation. Rapid_expansion of_the_cultivated area_and_increased output stimulated_the rest of_the economy. However, by_the late 1950s,_there_was little land left that could easily be brought under cultivation. During the 1960s,_agricultural_output stagnated_because_of_political instability and land reform._Between 1953 and 1976, agriculture's_contribution to_GDP increased (in constant prices) by only 3.2%,_approximately_the rate of_population growth. From 1976 to 1984 growth in agriculture_declined to 2% a year, and_its importance in_the_economy_declined as other sectors_grew more rapidly.

In 1981, as in_the 1970s, 53% of the population_was still classified as rural, although movement_to the cities continued to accelerate._However, in contrast to the_1970s, when_50% of the labor force_was employed in_agriculture, by_1983 agriculture employed_only 30% of the labor force._Furthermore, by the_mid-1980s, unprocessed farm products accounted for_only_4% of exports,_equivalent_to_7% of_non-petroleum exports. Industry,_commerce,_and transportation_still_depended on farm produce and related_agro-business,_but agriculture's preeminent position had clearly eroded._By 1985 agriculture (including_a_little forestry and fishing)_contributed only 16.5% to GDP,_down from 22.1% in 1976.

By the_mid-1980s, the_Syrian government_had taken measures to revitalize agriculture. The 1985 investment budget saw_a sharp rise in allocations for_agriculture, including land reclamation_and irrigation._The_government's renewed commitment_to_agricultural development_in the 1980s, by expanding cultivation and_extending irrigation,_promised brighter prospects for Syrian agriculture_in the 1990s.

Water resources
Water_is_a scarce resource in Syria as_it is throughout the Middle East,_but Syria is more fortunate_than_many_other countries. Sufficient rainfall supports_cultivation in the Fertile Crescent -_an arc from_the southwest, near the border with Israel_and_Lebanon, extending northward to the Turkish_border_and eastward along that border to_Iraq._The_other main area of cultivation_is along the Euphrates and its_major tributaries and is dependent on irrigation.

Rainfall is highest_along the Mediterranean_coast and on the mountains_just_inland,_with Syria's limited forestry activities being concentrated in the higher_elevations of_these mountains. Rainfall_diminishes sharply as one moves eastward of the mountains paralleling_the coast and southward from the Turkish_border. The arc of cultivation from the southwest (