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Outside a rural area by the city of Hama, wheat fields are expected to be ripe and productive with grain.

However, one agriculturist's plot remains barren, producing merely a fraction of its typical yield.

"Recently has been disastrous as a result of the lack of rain," stated the 46-year-old farmer.

His acres produced only 190kg per unit—well under the expected quantity harvested in a average period.

"{We haven't recovered what we invested; we've faced losses. I can't finance next year's planting," he added.

With two young children to feed, now he's relying on assistance from kin to make ends meet.

Countrywide Situation

This hardship is seen across Syria, where the most severe rain shortage in 36 years has cut wheat harvests by a significant portion.

A projected gap of 2.73 million tonnes is predicted this season—enough to feed the yearly dietary needs of more than 16.25 million Syrians.

Increasing Need

Without increased food aid or the means to import wheat, the condition may intensify severely.

Over 14,000,000 Syrians—nearly the majority of the people—already struggle to meet their nutritional needs.

Of these, 9.1 million endure acute hunger, including 1.3 million in extreme states.

Precipitation has decreased by about 70%, damaging three-quarters of dependent agricultural land.

"This is the distinction between families remaining in their communities or being forced to move," commented an expert.

Daily Struggles

Agricultural families are offloading herds to compensate for diminished revenue, limiting their food intake.

Malnutrition cases among minors and women are growing.

Grain is a basic food in Syria, the main ingredient in bread and traditional dishes—cheap items that are now rising in value.

In the case of Sanaa Mahamid who is thirty-nine, buying food has become increasingly difficult.

With multiple children, she relies on her children' wages, which are not essential costs.

"Occasionally we need to get money just to afford bread," she said.

Last year, a package of bread cost five hundred local currency, but today it is four thousand five hundred.

To feed her household, it takes multiple bags a daily—a financial burden of nine thousand currency units, before other necessities.

Government and Global Efforts

This situation presents a serious problem for the leadership, which is working to reconstruct the economy after over a decade of unrest.

Aid organizations are supplying food support for those most vulnerable, but representatives warn that these are short-term solutions.

"The goal is to keep farmers in the agricultural sector," stated a representative.

Financial assistance have been distributed to small farmers who lost all of their crops.

But, after over a decade of strife, Syria's agrarian industry was already impacted by economic downturn, damaged water systems, and unsafe land.

Water Crisis

In critical growing areas, crop fields need numerous irrigation rounds per growing period, but due to absence of precipitation, most growers find it impossible to sustain.

"A agricultural worker's main worry is securing water," said a local official.

Irrigation needs energy, and costs have increased significantly, costing 11,000 to twelve thousand pounds per gallon.

High fuel costs and frequent interruptions have made irrigation systems unaffordable for many agriculturalists.

Long-Term Measures

One goal for the authorities is funding irrigation projects—such as renewable energy watering systems—to ensure resources more accessible.

But such projects take time and money—options that growers lack right now.

Therefore, for millions citizens throughout the nation, there is only one thing to do in the coming months: pray for rainfall.