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Close to Seqalbia by the city of Hama, crop lands should be golden and full with grain.

However, one agriculturist's land remains unproductive, producing just a third of its typical harvest.

"The current season has been disastrous because of the water crisis," stated the experienced grower.

His land yielded just 190kg per dunum—far below the expected quantity harvested in a normal season.

"{We lost what we put in; we've lost money. There's no way to fund next year's operations," he added.

Having two teenage children to support, now he's borrowing assistance from kin to survive.

National Situation

The struggle is echoed throughout the nation, where the most severe drought in 36 years has reduced agricultural output by nearly half.

A projected gap of millions of tonnes is expected this year—representing the annual food requirements of over 16 million people.

Increasing Need

Lacking more food aid or the ability to import wheat, the crisis may worsen dramatically.

More than 14 million residents—about 60% the population—presently find it hard to eat enough.

Out of these, 9.1 million face acute food shortage, including a significant number in critical situations.

Rainfall has decreased by nearly a large percentage, devastating 75% of non-irrigated agricultural land.

"It represents the line between households staying in their homes or being forced to move," stated an representative.

Daily Hardships

Rural families are selling herds to make up for reduced revenue, limiting their meals.

Hunger-related issues rates among minors and women are rising.

Crops is a essential food in Syria, the main ingredient in loaves and noodles—low-cost items that are now becoming more expensive in value.

For a mother who is 39, purchasing staples has become extremely challenging.

With multiple children, she depends on her sons' income, which do not cover essential needs.

"Sometimes we need to get cash only to afford food," she explained.

Last year, a bag of bread was priced at 500 Syrian pounds, but today it is four thousand five hundred.

To feed her dependents, she requires multiple units a day—a financial burden of 9,000 pounds, excluding other items.

Government and Foreign Response

This situation poses a serious problem for the government, which is striving to restore the economy after a long period of conflict.

Aid organizations are offering bread subsidies for those in need, but officials caution that these are temporary measures.

"We're trying to enable people in the farming industry," stated a representative.

Direct assistance have been distributed to agricultural families who lost their entire crops.

However, after a long time of war, Syria's agrarian industry was already impacted by economic collapse, damaged irrigation systems, and contaminated fields.

Water Problem

In key growing regions, crop fields must have several watering sessions per growing period, but as a result of absence of rainfall, many farmers cannot sustain.

"The agricultural worker's first worry is obtaining irrigation," explained a local agriculture director.

Irrigation depends on diesel, and fuel prices have increased sharply, reaching 11,000 to twelve thousand pounds per unit.

High energy prices and regular power cuts have left irrigation systems inaccessible for numerous agriculturalists.

Sustainable Measures

A goal for the authorities is investing in water systems—like eco-friendly drip systems—to provide resources more affordable.

Yet such plans need time and resources—options that growers do not have currently.

So, for millions people across the country, there is just one option to do in the coming months: pray for rain.