Pistachios are an important source of livelihood in many parts of Rojava, yet their cultivation is labor-intensive and requires years of effort. Unlike seasonal fruits, many pistachio trees take a long time to mature and produce yields. Farmers and laborers who rely on pistachio production for their income face numerous challenges.
In Kobanê and its surrounding villages, producers have begun harvesting pistachios from the trees. Men, women, and children work together in the fields. Some farmers share their harvest with relatives, while others sell it to make a living.
Pistachios are among the most common agricultural products in Kobanê. In certain villages, vast hectares are covered with pistachio trees. While some of these trees are newly planted, others have been producing for more than 50 years. During this season, farmers enter the orchards to collect the pistachios.
However, this year, insufficient rainfall and extreme heat have caused a sharp drop in production. Last year, a single pistachio tree yielded an average of 75 to 100 kilograms, but this year, 1,000 trees have produced only 125 kilograms in total.
Meryem, a producer who owns an orchard with over 1,000 trees, said that yields have been extremely low this year: “We have harvested almost nothing from our pistachio trees this year. We used pesticides and plenty of water, yet the pistachios were still scarce and of poor quality.”
Meryem emphasized that the lack of rain and snow has had a negative impact on the soil. She added: “Last year, half of the trees produced crops. This year, from 1,000 trees, we collected only 20 kilograms of pistachios. It is not only pistachios, production of all other crops has also declined. When the olive trees were in bloom, strong winds caused all their blossoms to fall.”
In Kobanê, not only pistachios but also fig, olive, grape, and walnut trees are cultivated. This year, however, drought and harsh climate conditions have affected almost all agricultural products.
Finally, Meryem noted that their village lies very close to the border with Northern Kurdistan (Bakur): “We are from Bûban village, located on the border between Bakur and Rojava. Our trees are right along the border. When we go to our fields and orchards, the Turkish state opens fire. For safety reasons, farmers are sometimes forced to abandon their lands. During the harvest season, the Turkish state also attacked the laborers, forcing them to leave the harvest site. Never in any year have we obtained so little produce as we have this year.”
Source: ANF News
