Syria/Greenhouse farming contributes to local economy in northern Syria

A greenhouse project launched in Rimêlan, in the north-east of Syria, is supplying vegetables to nearly 450,000 people in the region. About 100 people are employed in this activity.

Greenhouse gardens are being developed in the town of Rimêlan, in Girkê Lêgê, with the support of the Economic and Agricultural Committees of the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria (AANES). This project is of great importance at a time when the Damascus government, Turkey and the KDP are imposing an embargo through the region's border gates.

The Til Kocher border crossing, which is very important for the region, has also been closed since 2019 under pressure from Russia. In short, attempts to stifle the region's economy with embargoes make economic production projects indispensable and urgent.

CONSIDERABLE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

The Economic Committee first opened 9 greenhouses on 1.2 hectares in Rimêlan in 2016. Cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and many other vegetables were grown in this project initiated to meet the needs of the local population. Over time, the number of greenhouses reached 32. According to the project, 450,000 people are supplied with vegetables. Parsley, green beans and mint will now be grown in five new greenhouses.

The W-shaped greenhouses are designed to withstand wind and rain. There are winter and summer heating and cooling mechanisms to grow vegetables in all seasons.

"The greenhouse has advanced technology. It can control heat and cold. It is irrigated with the drip system," said agricultural engineer Hemide Silêman, one of the project leaders.

VEGETABLES GROWN ACCORDING TO NEED

"I started working here after my university studies. We get more yield from the soil with these methods. The vegetables are grown according to the needs of the people. Cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are more popular," added Hesen Omer, another agricultural engineer involved in the project.

CONSISTENT PRODUCTION

Each greenhouse is 51 metres long, 9.6 metres wide and 4.5 metres high. Each one produces 50 tons of vegetables per year. The production is sold in different towns in the region, from Girkê Legê to Dêrik.

About 100 people work in these greenhouses. 10 other greenhouses will soon be built in the Hassakê region. Another project is being implemented in Tirbêspî (Al Darbasiyah) with the support of the Women's Economic Committee.

Source: rojinfo.com