Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The cultural background of the sustainability of the traditional farming system in the Ghouta the oasis of Damascus, Syria

  • Published:
Agriculture and Human Values Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper discusses thepractical impact of a non-materialistic cultureon sustainable farm management.Two elements are discussed: first, how deeplyrooted religion is in this culture; second,the feasibility of using both human knowledgeand experience, so-called tradition and divineguidance in management. Finally, theimplications of the fusion of these twoelements are drawn. The outcome is thecapability of man to integrate ethical valuesinto decisions and actions. This integration,when applied by skilled farmers, leads to amanagement of natural resources in analtruistic fashion and not merely to economicends. Moreover, it makes agriculture meaningfuland sustainable.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Bukhari, M. I. (1997). Sahih Al-Bukhari. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Dar-Assalam, 3535, 2193-2199, 2320, 6435 [in Arabic].

    Google Scholar 

  • Alhamidi, S. K., P. Hillbur, M. Gustafsson, J. Ibrahim, and H. Larsson (2003). A Study of the Traditional Farming System in the Ghouta, Oasis of Damascus, Syria (forthcoming).

  • Allen, P. and D. V. Dusen (1988). “Sustainable agriculture: Choosing the future.” In P. Allen and D. V. Dusen (eds.), The Proceedings of the Sixth International Scientific Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) on Global Perspectives on Agroecology and Sustainable Agricultural Systems (pp. 1–14). Santa Cruz: Agroecology Program, University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Omar, N. S. (1991). Al Hikmeh. [The Wisdom.] London: Darulifta Office [in Arabic].

    Google Scholar 

  • Altieri, M. A. (1987). Agroecology: The Scientific Basis of Alternative Agriculture. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press/ London: IT Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Altieri, M. A. and P. Rosset (1995). “Agroecology and the conversion of large-scale conventional systems to sustainable management.” International Journal of Environmental Studies 50(3-4): 165–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianquis, A. (1989). La reforme agraire dans la Ghouta de Damas. Damascus, Syria: Institut Français de Damas [in French].

    Google Scholar 

  • Berkes, F., C. Folke, and M. Gadgil (1995). “Traditional ecological knowledge, biodiversity, resilience and sustainability.” In C. A Perrings, K. G. Mäler, C. Folke, C. S. Holling, and B. O. Jansson (eds.), Biodiversity Conservation (pp. 281–300). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, W. (1977). The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bird, E. R. (1988). “Why 'modern' agriculture is environmentally unsustainable: Implications for the politics of the sustainable agriculture movement in the US.” In P. Allen and D. V. Dusen (eds.), The Proceedings of the Sixth International Scientific Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) on Global Perspectives on Agroecology and Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Vol. 1 (pp. 31–37). Santa Cruz: Agroecology Program, University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Busch, L. (1981). “Introduction.” In L. Busch (ed.), Science and Agricultural Development (pp. 1–6). Totowa, New Jersey: Allanheld, Osmun & Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callicott, J. B. (1990). “The metaphysical transition in farming: From the newtonian-mechanical to the eltonian ecological.” Journal of Agricultural Ethics 3: 36–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callicott, J. B. and R. T. Ames (1989). “The Asian traditions as a conceptual resource for environmental philosophy.” In J. B. Callicot and R. Ames (eds.), Nature in Asian Traditions of Thought: Essays in Environmental Philosophy (pp. 1–21). Albany, New York: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dlouhy, J. (1983). “Philosophy behind alternative forms of agriculture.” In J. Dlouhy and G. Nilsson (eds.), The Proceedings of International Scientific Colloquium on Comparison between Farming Systems, March 21-24, 1983 (pp. 49–53). Uppsala: Department of Plant Husbandry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglass, G. K. (1985). “Moral conflict in agriculture: Conquest or moral co-evolution?” In T. C. Edens, C. Fridgen, and S. L. Battenfield (eds.), Conference Proceedings on Sustainable Agriculture and Integrated Farming Systems (pp. 10–21). East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elmonjid (1997). [an Arabic-Arabic help dictionary]. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar el-Mashreq, p. 562.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engel, J. R. (1990). “The ethics of sustainable development.” In J. R. Engel and J. G. Engel (eds.), Ethics of Environment and Development. Global Challenge, International Response (pp. 1–23). London: Belhaven Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freudenberger, C. D. (1986). “Value and ethical dimensions of alternative agricultural approach. in quest of a regenerative and just agriculture.” In K. A. Dahlberg (ed.), New Directions for Agriculture and Agricultural Research (pp. 348–364). Totowa, New Jersey: Rowman and Allanheld.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginfold, H. (1978). Syria. New York: Franklin Watts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartel, P. G. (1994). “Overview.” In P. G. Hartel, K. P. George, and J. Vorst (eds.), The Proceedings of a Symposium on Agricultural Ethics: Issues for the 21st Century, October 31-November 5, 1992 (pp. 1–10), Madison, Wisconsin: Soil Science Society, American Society of Agronomy, and Crop Science Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibn Nabi, M. (1984). Moshkilat al-thekafah. [The Problem of Culture.] Damascus, Syria: Dar Al-Fikr [translated from French to Arabic by A. Shaheen].

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, M. (1985). “The pastoral ideal and sustainable agriculture.” In T. C. Edens, C. Fridgen, and S. L. Battenfield (eds.), Conference Proceedings on Sustainable Agriculture and Integrated Farming Systems (pp. 219–232). East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, M. (1988). “From domination to cooperation: Ethical and economic motivations towards sustainable food production systems.” In P. Allen and D. V. Dusen (eds.), The Proceedings of the Sixth International Scientific Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) on Global Perspectives on Agroecology and Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Vol. 1 (pp. 75–82). Santa Cruz: Agroecology Program, University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ken'ichiro, H. (1993). “The state and cultural transformation in modern East Asia.” In H. Ken'ichiro (ed.), The State and Cultural Transformation: Perspectives from East Asia (pp. 1–11). Tokyo: United Nations University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khair, S. (1966). Ghoutet Dimashk. Diraseh fi al-geografiah al-ziraeiah. [Damascus Ghouta: A Study in Agricultural Geography.] Damascus, Syria: Ministry of Culture [in Arabic].

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunkel, H. O. (1984). “Agricultural ethics - the setting.” Agriculture and Human Values 1(1): 20–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurd Ali, M. (1984). Ghoutet Dimashk. [Damascus Ghouta.] Damascus, Syria: Ministry of Culture [in Arabic].

    Google Scholar 

  • Kutb, S. (1982). Khasais al-tasawwur al-islami and mokawimatah. [Pillars of Islamic Perspective.] Beirut, Libanon: Dar Al-Shurok [in Arabic].

    Google Scholar 

  • Kutb, S. (1986). Fi dhilal al-Koran. [Shadows of Koran.] Dar Al-Ilm for Printing and Publishing. Jiddah, Saudi Arabia/ Cairo, Egypt: Dar Al-Shurok for Printing and Publishing [in Arabic].

    Google Scholar 

  • Kvale, S. (1983). “The qualitative research interview: A phenomenological and a hermeneutical mode of understanding.” Journal of Phenomenological Psychology 14: 171–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiss,W. (1994). The Domination of Nature. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud, Z. N. (1990). Arabi bayna thakafeteyn. [An Arab between Two Cultures.] Cairo, Egypt: Dar Al-Shurok [in Arabic].

    Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, A. E. (1988). Science and Religion, an Introduction. Blackwell.

  • Merrill, M. C. (1988). “Some philosophical prerequisites for a sustainable agriculture.” In P. Allen and D. V. Dusen (eds.), The Proceedings of the Sixth International Scientific Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) on Global Perspectives on Agroecology and Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Vol. 1 (pp. 83–91). Santa Cruz: Agroecology Program, University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moslim Ibn Al-Hajaj Al-Naisabouri (1987). Mokhtasar Sahih Moslim. [Summarized Sahih Moslim.] Verified by M. N. Al-Albani. Beirut, Lebanon: Al-Makteb Al-Islami, 1602, 2092, 556, 788 [in Arabic].

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, B. and P. Loizos (1992). Choosing Research Methods. Data collection for Development Workers. Development Guidelines No. 7. Oxford: Oxfam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rayner, A. I. and S. J. Welham (1995). “Economic and statistical considerations in the measurement of Total Factor Productivity (TFP).” In V. Barnett, R. Payne, and R. Steiner (eds.), Agricultural Sustainability: Economic, Environmental and Statistical Considerations (pp. 23–38). Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samarrai, M. Y. I. D. (1990). “Islamic environmental ethics: Law and society.” In J. R. Engel and J. G. Engel (eds.), Ethics of Environment and Development (Global Challenge, International Response) (pp. 189–198). London: Belhaven Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepard, P. T. (1985). “Moral conflict in agriculture: Conquest or moral co-evolution?” In T. C. Edens, C. Fridgen, and S. L. Battenfield (eds.), Conference Proceedings on Sustainable Agriculture and Integrated Farming Systems (pp. 244–255). East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spedding C. R. W. (1990). “Crop protection in lower input systems of agriculture.” In U. Roger (ed.), The Proceedings of British Crop Protection Council on Crop Protection in Organic and Low Input Agriculture, September 4-6, 1990 (pp. 3–8). Cambridge, UK: BOPC (British Crop Protection Council).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, H. S. (1954). The Psychiatric Interview (pp. 3–27). New York: W. W. Norton & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terborgh, J. (1986). “Keystone plant resources in the tropical forest.” In M. E. Soule (ed.), Conservation Biology - the Science of Scarcity and Diversity. Sunderland, Massachusetts: Sinauer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson C. L., M. M. Anderberg, and J. B. Antell (eds.) (1982). The Current History, Encyclopaedia of Developing Nations (pp. 170–174). New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P. B. (1988). “Ethical dilemmas in agriculture: The need for recognition and resolution.” Agriculture and Human Values 5(4): 4–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Mansvelt, J. D. (1988). “Basic concepts of alternative agriculture.” In P. Allen and D. V. Dusen (eds.), The Proceedings of the Sixth International Scientific Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) on Global Perspectives on Agroecology and Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Vol. 1 (pp. 1–14). Santa Cruz: Agroecology Program, University of California.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden

    Sameer K. Alhamidi, Mats Gustafsson & Hans Larsson

  2. Technology and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden

    Per Hillbur

Authors
  1. Sameer K. Alhamidi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mats Gustafsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hans Larsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Per Hillbur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sameer K. Alhamidi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Alhamidi, S.K., Gustafsson, M., Larsson, H. et al. The cultural background of the sustainability of the traditional farming system in the Ghouta the oasis of Damascus, Syria. Agriculture and Human Values 20, 231–240 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026123929170

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026123929170

Search

Navigation