The occupied Syrian Golan, SANA-Since the early morning hours, convoys of farmers in the occupied Syrian Golan have been heading to their orchards extending over vast areas between the villages of Baqatha, Majdal Shams and Masada, with the start of the apple harvest season this year, despite the Israeli occupation’s restrictions on them as part of its ongoing aggressive practices.
SANA’s correspondent in the Golan accompanied the farmers on the harvesting trip, and quoted them as saying that this year’s season was good in terms of quantity and quality, unlike previous years, in addition to the fact that prices are still acceptable so far, indicating that they have intensified their interest in the apple season to compensate for their losses in the cherry season.
Youssef Shams, head of the Golan apple import committee to Syria, said: As for the quantities of apples, they are good this season, despite the differences between one region and another, indicating that the areas planted with apples in the Golan are estimated at 15 thousand dunams, 4 thousand of which face the risk of the occupation seizing them under the pretext of implementing the turbine plan.
For his part, Fares Awidat said: The Golan produces the best types of apples in the region due to its high altitude above sea level, the availability of a suitable environment for its cultivation, and the necessary amounts of water, in addition to the great care that the people of the Golan give to their lands and crops, so the soil of the Golan has become kneaded with the sweat of farmers.
Mhamad