Afrin farmers struggle amid war, Turkish-backed militia occupation
Afrin and its surrounding villages, known for producing a variety of seasonal crops, including olive groves, have been hit hard this year. Farmers in Jalama village, particularly known for their pepper production, are facing unprecedented challenges.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The ongoing Syrian civil war and the occupation of Afrin in Western Kurdistan (northern Syria) by Turkish-backed militia groups have severely damaged the region's agricultural infrastructure, leaving Kurdish farmers in dire straits.
Afrin and its surrounding villages, known for producing a variety of seasonal crops, including olive groves, have been hit hard this year. Farmers in Jalama village, particularly known for their pepper production, are facing unprecedented challenges.
"In previous years, whenever enough water was released for irrigation, our pepper production thrived," said Jomaa Cholaq, a local farmer. "But this year, water shortages, untimely rains, expensive pesticides, and high prices of manure and fertilizers have badly impacted agriculture. Our work will end in loss."
The current harvest in Jalama is not only insufficient to meet local needs but also fails to cover the farmers' expenses. The inability to export their products to other parts of Syria and Western Kurdistan has compounded their woes, forcing them to consider abandoning pepper cultivation if conditions do not improve.
Obed Salam Sadiq, another farmer from Jalama, expressed his frustration: "Our village is famous for its pepper production, but this year most of the peppers have spoiled due to late rains. There is no government or organization to support us."
Afrin, one of the richest agricultural areas in the region, used to supply crops to most parts of Syria. However, since the occupation by Syrian opposition fighters with Turkish support in 2018, the agricultural sector has received no support, and crops have been withheld from leaving Afrin.
