EBÎR MUHEMED

Qamishlo- Women try to stand on their own feet by making efforts in all spheres of life. Minewer Xalid, who has earned a living by growing tomatoes in the Amûdê town of Qamishlo for 35 years, spoke to NuJINHA about difficulties faced by her.

She adds her love to every stage

Stating that she earns a living by growing tomatoes, Minewer Xalid told us the methods of planting tomatoes. “I plant tomato seedlings in February after the rainy season. I use stakes to keep them off the ground. Seedlings are planted according to the season. Fertilizer is sprinkled on the seedlings and the seedlings are watered in rows. I add my love to every stage of growing tomatoes.”

“The vegetables grown on our land should be preferred”

Speaking about the difficulties in growing vegetables, she said, “I have been growing tomatoes for years. We should buy the vegetables grown on our land. The vegetables grown on our lands are sacred. Our people should buy the vegetables grown on our land. We grow cleaner and healthier vegetables; however, the vegetables brought from outside of Rojava are preferred. The vegetables grown on our land should be preferred.”

“I have made efforts for 35 years”

Underlining that she has made great efforts for 35 years, she said, “Growing tomato plants is very delicate and requires a lot of effort. If you do not take care of them daily, you cannot get a good harvest. I have 35-year experiences in growing tomatoes. I know everything about how to plant and grow tomatoes. If you take care of your seedlings, you get the best harvest. We sell tomatoes in the street markets in Amûdê, Hasakah and Qamishlo.”

“Women and nature are interconnected”

Speaking about her love for nature and soil, Minewer Xalid said, “Despite my advanced age, I still want to be in nature every day. We live thanks to the products our soil gives us, we have adopted this lifestyle. Women and nature are interconnected.”