Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T03:21:37.586Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Economic viability of the traditional farming system in the Ghouta, Oasis of Damascus, Syria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Sameer K. Alhamidi ,
Bengt Håkansson  and
Mats Gustafsson
Sameer K. Alhamidi*
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE–230 53 Alnarp, Sweden.
Bengt Håkansson
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE–230 53 Alnarp, Sweden.
Mats Gustafsson
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE–230 53 Alnarp, Sweden.
*
S. K. Alhamidi ([email protected]).
Get access

Abstract

The traditional farming system (TFS) in the Ghouta has been an integral pan of the social life and has contributed to the food supply of Damascus for millennia. Very little is known about this traditional and sustainable system, considered by many as a hindrance to development. This study is an attempt to analyze the economic perfonnance of this system. The objective is to evaluate the economic performance of the TFS and its impact on system viability. Three farms, representing the three different agricultural strategies in this area, were selected for data-collection. Participant observation was used to derive estimates of labor, costs and revenues, which are not recorded by farmers. These three farms formed a base for continuous contact with other farmers in the Ghouta. The average values, after cross-checking with these estimates and other farmers, were used in the economic analysis at three levels: production, family and market level. The production system of the Ghouta is adaptable to economic forces of a major city as the high level of market orientation of the TFS stimulates diversity of farms. It is concluded that the diversified farms managed by farmers in this area provide a satisfactory income, which is in harmony both with the social values and with preserving the system, the overall objective of the farmers.

Keywords

alternative agricultureeconomic analysisGhoutaDamascus-Syriasustainabilitytraditional managementvalues
Type
Research Article
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , December 2003 , pp. 196 - 205
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alhamidi, S.K., Hillbur, P., Gustafsson, M., Ibrahim, J., and Larsson, H.. 2003a. A study of the sustainability of the traditional farming system in the Ghouta, oasis of Damascus, forthcoming.Google Scholar
Alhamidi, S. K., Gustafsson, M., Hillbur, P., and Larsson, H.. 2003b. The cultural background of the sustainability of tne traditional farming system in the Ghouta, Oasis of Damascus. Agriculture and Human Values, in press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Allen, P., van Dusen, D., Lundy, J., and Gliessman, S.. 1991. Integrating social, environmental, and economic issues in sustainable agriculture. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 6(1):34–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Altieri, M.A. 1987. Agroecology: The Scientific Basis of Alternative Agriculture. Westerview Press, Boulder.Google Scholar
Batie, S., and Taylor, B.. 1989. Widespread adoption of non-conventional agriculture: profitability and impacts. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 4(3–4):128–134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bianquis, A. 1989. La Reforme Agraire Dans la Ghouta de Damas. Institut Francais de Damas, Damas.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Conway, G.R. 1985. Agroecosystem analysis. Agricultural Administration 20:31–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Costanza, R., Mageau, M., Norton, B., and Patten, B.C.. 1998. What is sustainability? In Rapport, D., Costanza, R., Epstein, P.R., Gaudet, C., and Levins, R. (eds). Ecosystem Health. Blackwell Science, Oxford, p. 231–239.Google Scholar
Cyert, R.M., and March, J.G.. 1993. A Behavioral Theory of the Firm. Blackwell, USA.Google Scholar
Doppler, W. 1985. Planung, Evaluierung und Management von Entwicklungsprojekten. Kieler Wissenschaftsverlag Vauk, Germany.Google Scholar
Håkansson, B. 1991. A decision system for production planning in horticulture. In van de Schilden, M. and van Lockeren Campagne, P. (eds). Horticultural Economics and Marketing. XXIIIrd International Horticultural Congress, No. 295. Florence, Italy. Acta Horticulturae, Technical Communication of ISHS (International Society for Horticultural Science), p. 195–201.Google Scholar
Herdt, R.W., and Steiner, R.A.. 1995. Agricultural sustainability: Concepts and conundrums. In Barnett, V., Payne, R., and Steiner, R. (eds). Agricultural Sustainability: Economic, Environmental and Statistical Considerations. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester. p. 3–13.Google Scholar
Innis, D.Q. 1997. Intercropping and the Scientific Basis of Traditional Agriculture. Intermediate Technology Publications, London, p. 1–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kurd Ali, M. 1949. Gougtet Dimashk (Damascus Ghouta). Damascus, Syria.Google Scholar
Pratt, B., and Loizos, P.. 1992. Choosing Research Methods. Data collection for development workers. Development Guidelines No. 7. Oxfam. Oxford.Google Scholar
Shaner, W.W., Philipp, P.F., and Schmehl, W.R.. 1982. Farming Systems Research and Development, Guidelines for Developing Countries. Westview Press, Boulder.Google Scholar
Thurston, H.D. 1992. Sustainable Practices for Plant Disease Management in Traditional Farming Systems. Westview Press, Boulder, p. 1–14.Google Scholar
Turner, J., and Taylor, M.. 1989. Applied Farm Management. BSP Professional Books, Oxford, UK.Google Scholar
Wachholtz, R. 1996. Socio-economics of Bedouin farming system in dry areas of northern Syria. In Doppler, W. (ed.). Farming Systems and Resource Economics in the Tropics, Vol. 24. Wissenschaftsverlag Vauk, Kiel KG, Germany, p. 121–163.Google Scholar