SÎLVA Al-ÎBRAHÎM

Manbij- Livestock farming is the main source of income for many people living in Manbij Canton of North and East Syria. Women living in the rural areas of the canton earn their livelihoods from livestock farming.

40-year-old Saada Al-Cassim raises chickens and cows in the village of Al-Mustariha of Manbij. She earns a living by selling livestock products such as milk, eggs, and yogurt. “I have raised chickens and cows since my childhood. My mother used to raise cows. I have experience in raising animals,” she told NuJINHA.

 She also makes cheese

Saada Al-Cassim uses cow milk to make cheese. “We make cheese for ourselves and to sell it,” she said, adding that they use cow manure for heating. “We graze cows in summer. In winter, we use hay or silage to feed the cows.”

‘I teach my daughter how to raise animals’

Saada Al-Cassim prefers village life to city life. “I cannot live in cities because I am used to living in villages. I love animals. They do not harm humans. I teach my daughter how to raise animals because she has to learn it as long as she lives in the village.”

Livestock farming is the main source of income for them

30-year-old Fatima Al-Awnat also lives in the village of Al-Mustariha and earns a living from livestock farming. “In the village, women learn how to raise cows, sheep and chickens from their childhood because livestock farming is the main source of income for them. They sell milk, cheese, eggs and yogurt to earn a living,” said Fatima Al-Awnat, who has nine sheep and two cows. “I sell livestock products to stand on my own legs."

Speaking about the difference between products they obtain from sheep and cows, she said, “Sheep products are of higher quality than cow products and consumers prefer products from sheep. But the products we obtain from sheep are more expensive. In addition, sheep wool is used in handmade rugs.”