CIHEAM Bari is strengthening its commitment to Syria through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture in the Syrian Arab Republic (MOA) and the launch of GRANOLIO, a project funded by the Italian Development Cooperation.
Signed today in Damascus, the agreement establishes the framework for agricultural cooperation between the two institutions over the next five years. It aims to support the recovery of Syria’s agricultural sector through training, research, innovation, technology transfer, food security, sustainable management of natural resources, and the strengthening of agri-food value chains, with particular attention to opportunities for rural women and young people. The signing ceremony was attended by the Syrian Minister of Agriculture, Bassel Hafez Al-Souwaidan, the Director of CIHEAM Bari, Biagio Di Terlizzi, and the Ambassador of Italy to Syria, Stefano Ravagnan.
The first tangible outcome of the agreement is GRANOLIO, a 36-month project launched at the request of the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture to revive the olive and wheat value chains while recovering and enhancing Syria’s native olive and wheat varieties, a biodiversity heritage that is essential for food security and the resilience of the country’s agricultural sector. The project also builds on interventions previously implemented by the Italian Cooperation before 2011, particularly the Olive Oil Quality Certification Centre in Idlib, which is essential for enabling the export of Syrian olive oil to the European market.
The project will strengthen institutions, laboratories and quality control systems, provide training for technicians and producers, support nurseries and olive mills, and promote Syrian olive oil in national and international markets.
“This signature marks the culmination of a journey that began in 2004, when we first started working in Syria. Although, after 2011, we shifted our operations outside government-controlled areas and continued working remotely, our approach has always remained rooted in development through listening to local communities and understanding their needs. Today, this agreement further strengthens a partnership built on a spirit of service, expertise, scientific diplomacy, and continuous dialogue with communities, made possible through the steadfast support of the Italian Government. The GranOlio project translates these principles into concrete action by investing in the quality of agricultural production, the conservation of genetic resources, the strengthening of institutional capacities, and the creation of sustainable development opportunities for rural communities. We believe that supporting agriculture means creating the conditions for stable, inclusive, and lasting growth—one that generates food security, employment, and new opportunities for future generations”, said Biagio Di Terlizzi, Director of CIHEAM Bari.
