Summer vegetable nurseries have become active in the countryside of Ras al-Ain, northwest of al-Hasakah, offering a viable option to reduce family expenses and achieve self-sufficiency.

The region has seen an increase in vegetable cultivation in agricultural lands or near homes, allowing rural families to cut down on expenses related to purchasing vegetables from markets.

Among the most prominent cultivated vegetables are tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, in addition to zucchini, eggplants, okra, and molokhia, providing various dietary options.

An opportunity to reduce expenses

Samer al-Qate (45 years old) found in vegetable cultivation an option to reduce the costs of purchasing them from the market. Therefore, he plants various kinds of vegetables annually at the beginning of the cotton season, emphasizing the importance and health of obtaining fresh produce.

He told Enab Baladi that cultivating summer vegetables isn’t new; it has been around for decades, with most farmers dedicating areas between half a dunum and a dunum for it. He harvests vegetables from his land every three days, takes his need, and gives away some to his relatives.

Summer vegetables ensure self-sufficiency for the residents of Ras al-Ain – August 14, 2024 (Enab Baladi)

On the other hand, Abdel Rahim al-Majboul, another farmer from Ras al-Ain, said he plants about five dunums of all kinds of summer vegetables each year to sell in local markets.

He explained that in summer, after the wheat season, he relies on cultivating vegetables, which provide him with a continuous financial flow, unlike seasonal crops which do not guarantee the same financial continuity.

He added that cultivating these vegetables requires special attention and providing agricultural drugs to combat diseases, especially in the early growth stages. He works daily with his family to harvest the vegetables and sell them to traders.

Summer vegetables ensure self-sufficiency for the residents of Ras al-Ain – August 14, 2024 (Enab Baladi)

Indispensable

Omar Hammoud, head of the agricultural office in the Ras al-Ain local council, told Enab Baladi that summer vegetables are essential and indispensable, grown by locals in the countryside within areas ranging from one to ten dunums.

He explained that the summer vegetable season usually starts at the beginning of May and continues until the end of October each year.

He added that even city residents plant in empty spaces near their homes during the summer to reduce financial burdens and provide fresh vegetables for themselves.

Hammoud mentioned that the cultivation of summer vegetables has contributed to lowering vegetable prices in the local market, prompting residents to rely on local products rather than those coming from Turkey, which have added financial charges and are sold at high prices.

Summer vegetables ensure self-sufficiency for the residents of Ras al-Ain – August 14, 2024 (Enab Baladi)

He pointed out that cultivating summer vegetables requires special attention in terms of farm management and water quantity, in addition to adequately preparing the dedicated area.

Hammoud noted that some farmers incurred financial losses due to their lack of knowledge about proper farming methods, urging them to visit the Department of Agriculture to obtain precise agricultural instructions to ensure the success of summer vegetable cultivation.

Summer vegetables ensure self-sufficiency for the residents of Ras al-Ain – August 14, 2024 (Enab Baladi)

A significant portion of the population awaits summer vegetables to prepare for winter provisions, where they store and can them for use during the cold months.

In addition to livestock rearing, agriculture is one of the main professions for the majority of the population in Ras al-Ain and the northern and northeastern regions of Syria, constituting a primary source of income in these areas.