In the Kaniya Kurdan neighborhood of Kobanê, women grow vegetables and raise livestock to make a living.
In Kobanê, especially in the Kaniya Kurdan neighborhood, which has come to be known for its nature and agriculture, mothers prepare annual gardens. In the summertime, they plant summer crops, such as tomato, aubergine, pepper, pumpkin, cucumber, beans, etc. In the winter, they plant radish, onion, garlic, beetroot, cress and other local vegetables.
Most crops in Kobanê are grown in Kaniya Kurdan, especially vegetables. These agricultural products are mainly produced by mothers, who plant the crops and also raise livestock there, such as sheep and cows. This livestock, together with yogurt, cheese, and cereals, provide a large portion of the city’s income.
Halide Miheideen has planted the ‘Hasan’ garden and is also harvesting her own pumpkins. She says agriculture is one of the most important things they do in Kaniya Kurdan. She says, “We are now starting to sell [produce from] Hasan. Before planting any crop we first cultivate it there. After that we plant our seedlings, and we do the same a month later. Then we apply chemicals and water them.”
Halide Miheideen has been working in the agricultural gardens for six years now, and she says this year due to the lack of rainfall the yield is very low. Halide says, “because of the money and lack of rainfall, we were not able to cultivate much. As mothers, we also shoulder the burden of planting those gardens with our own hands. We have also been planting potatoes for two years and we sell those as our produce as well. A woman can do anything. I can do agriculture and take care of the household too.”
