SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Agriculture, traditionally seen as a male-dominated profession, is embraced by 24-year-old Zakia Noori, who works alongside her father in one of Shiberghan city’s villages, located in the northern Jawzjan province.
From dawn until dusk, she helps support her family through farming.
Zakia, a resident of “Ata Khwaja” village in Shiberghan, is the eldest daughter of a farmer who has dedicated his life to farming to support his family.
In an interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, she shared that her passion for farming began in childhood.
At nine in the morning, Zakia donned her black coat and beige scarf, took her sickle, and headed toward the spinach fields.
She walked confidently and quickly, greeting her father with a gentle smile upon arrival, and asking where she should start working.
She pointed to her father, aged 70, whose back is bent and hands are worn, unable to work as he once did. Zakia explained that although he’s too old to work, he still has to, as there is no other way to support their family.
Zakia folded her coat, sat down at the edge of the field, and began her work. With delicate hands, she removed weeds from among the spinach plants. Pointing to the ripe spinach, she said, “In a few days, the New Year will be here, and people will buy a lot of spinach. Our sales will increase.”
Being the eldest in her family, Zakia remains unmarried, stating that she will continue helping her father until her younger brothers begin working with him in the fields. She assists her father with plowing, irrigation, vegetable harvesting, and gathering produce. When necessary, she also uses a hoe.
In addition to various vegetables, Zakia and her family grow beans, chickpeas, and wheat, the harvest of which provides for their daily needs, with some savings accumulated each year.
Zakia, hopeful for a bright future, added, “Every leaf of spinach I pick from the ground represents life to me. This work is not just a profession; it is a way to secure my future and stand on my own feet.”
She also mentioned that many women in her village work in fields and called on the government and agricultural organizations to support female farmers and provide them with more training.
Meanwhile, Fatima, 50, a resident of the “Yegah Bagh” village in Shiberghan, who has been associated with farming for 30 years to support her family, said, “As long as I can remember, my hands have been familiar with soil and the hoe.”
Like Zakia, Fatima helps her brothers with plowing, harvesting, and gathering the produce.
She is proud that she can contribute to supporting her family. Fatima grows various vegetables, wheat, watermelons, and melons on her land.
However, she pointed out drought and water scarcity as major challenges, causing a decrease in crop yields in recent years.
In response, Rustam Karimi, Director of Agricultural Affairs at the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock in Jawzjan, spoke about initiatives to support female farmers and future programs for the sector.
He said, “We have implemented several initiatives to empower women farmers. In collaboration with partner organizations, we have established 250 greenhouses in areas surrounding Shiberghan and nearby districts.”
He added, “In the future, we plan to launch more educational and supportive programs for female farmers to increase their contributions to agricultural development and the local economy.”
Karimi also mentioned that around 150 saffron bulb packs have been distributed to female farmers in villages and districts in partnership with various organizations.
According to him, over 500 women in Jawzjan are involved in greenhouse farming, saffron cultivation, and other agricultural sectors.
sa/ma
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