Samir al-Ahmad, chief of Zahid Water and Irrigation Research Station, checks on the ears of upland rice at a paddy field in Syria's northwestern province of Tartous on July 28, 2020. In its initial experimental stages, the cultivation of upland rice has shown promising results in Syria and could potentially offer good economic value for the country that is an importer of rice and under economic sanctions. (Photo by Hummam Sheikh Ali/Xinhua)

Samir al-Ahmad, chief of Zahid Water and Irrigation Research Station, checks on the ears of upland rice at a paddy field in Syria's northwestern province of Tartous on July 28, 2020. In its initial experimental stages, the cultivation of upland rice has shown promising results in Syria and could potentially offer good economic value for the country that is an importer of rice and under economic sanctions. (Photo by Hummam Sheikh Ali/Xinhua)

An ear of upland rice is seen at a paddy field in Syria's northwestern province of Tartous on July 28, 2020. In its initial experimental stages, the cultivation of upland rice has shown promising results in Syria and could potentially offer good economic value for the country that is an importer of rice and under economic sanctions. (Photo by Hummam Sheikh Ali/Xinhua)

A paddy field for upland rice is seen in Syria's northwestern province of Tartous on July 28, 2020. In its initial experimental stages, the cultivation of upland rice has shown promising results in Syria and could potentially offer good economic value for the country that is an importer of rice and under economic sanctions. (Photo by Hummam Sheikh Ali/Xinhua)