ZEYNEB XELÎF

Deir ez-Zor- Cotton cultivation significantly boosts local economies by providing a substantial source of employment across various segments of society. However, cotton production has been declining in recent years due to the effects of climate change. Cotton production provides income for many people in Deir ez-Zor, one of the cantons in northeastern Syria. Women farmers in the canton face many challenges such as the ongoing attacks, rising fuel and water prices that negatively affect the quantities of cotton production. The Cotton Cooperative of North and East Syria has recently opened a center for purchasing, storing, marketing, growing and processing cotton.

‘We work from early morning until sunset’

“We work from early morning until sunset,” said Sobha Al-Aswad, a female farmer in the canton, adding, “Because we earn a living from cotton production. We use saline well water for irrigation, which affects cotton production. Cotton is one of the crops that requires the most water to grow. We have to irrigate cotton more than 12 times until its harvest season. We use well water but it is insufficient.”

‘Cotton production has declined’

Cotton production has declined compared to previous year, Sobha Al-Aswad told NuJINHA. “The cotton cost-of-production per acre is very high. Despite high costs, we keep growing cotton because we have to work to earn a living for our families.”

‘We have to wake up early’

“We have to wake up early to do housework and other domestic work,” said Awfa Al-Qamar, one of the agricultural workers. “After doing the housework, we go to the cotton field. First, we plough the soil and remove any harmful plants. Ploughing the soil and removing harmful plants are very difficult because we do not have any modern machines. Then, we plant cotton seeds. The quality of last year's production was better than this year.”

‘We are hopeful despite all the difficulties’

Amal Al-Ali and other women began to collect firewood after harvesting cotton. “We use firewood for cooking and heating. We are hopeful despite all the difficulties. Women of Deir ez-Zor achieve their economic independence by growing and harvesting cotton.”