It is five o’clock in the morning, and the sun has not yet risen over the farmlands of Samangan Province. Wahida Noori, a 35-year-old resident of Hazrat Sultan District, is already at work in her home garden.
For the past five years, because of economic hardship, she has cultivated vegetables while carrying out her household responsibilities in an effort to cover part of her family’s living expenses.
“A few years ago, because of my family’s financial difficulties, I began planting vegetables. I mainly work in vegetable cultivation and home gardening, producing tomatoes, squash, coriander, mint, and other vegetables,” she says.
Despite her efforts to cover part of her family’s living expenses and meet its basic needs through home gardening, she has faced major challenges, including water scarcity, the high cost of agricultural fertilizers, and lack of appropriate market.
“The income from selling vegetables has helped cover some of our household expenses. Some organizations have also provided us with agricultural training, seeds, and fertilizer. Our biggest problems are water shortages, the lack of appropriate markets for our produce, and the high cost of seeds and fertilizer,” she says.
She also emphasizes that if women were given greater access to markets and received more support, she would expand her agricultural activities and increase production.
“If appropriate markets are created for women’s products and we receive more assistance, women will be able to expand their businesses. I also hope to increase my production and bring more products to the market in the future,” she adds.
In Samangan, women not only engage in home gardening and vegetable cultivation but also play an active role in improving their families’ livelihoods and supporting their local communities through other income-generating activities, such as poultry farming at home.
Shogofa Amiri, a 38-year-old resident of Dara-e-Zindan District in Samangan, earns her living through chicken farming.
“I started with just a few baby chicks at home. Because I was interested in chicken farming, I continued. Now, I meet part of my family’s needs by selling eggs,” she says.
Meanwhile, economic experts emphasize that women play an important role in increasing agricultural production and improving household livelihoods. They believe that providing agricultural training, small loans, and creating markets for women could make a significant contribution to strengthening and growing local economies.
Almasa Habibi, an economic expert, says that women carry out a greater share of activities related to vegetable cultivation and food production and play a key role in vegetable farming, home gardening, and poultry farming.
“Women’s participation in agriculture enhances food security and strengthens household economies. To strengthen this role, it is essential to provide agricultural training, small loans, and create appropriate markets,” she adds.
Officials at the Samangan Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock say that, in recent years, they have launched support programs for women engaged in agriculture in cooperation with organizations, and efforts are continuing to promote women’s participation in the sector.
Khalil Karimi, the Head of Agriculture at the Samangan Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, says,
“We do not have precise statistics on the number of women engaged in agriculture through partner organizations. However, women are active in various agricultural sectors. Some, accompanied by a male guardian, participate in training programs organized by these organizations. Home gardens have been established for them, and they have received vegetable seeds, agricultural kits, and technical training. Despite economic hardships, these women have made an important contribution to improving household nutrition and strengthening their families’ economic.”
As the sun gradually sets, Wahida completes another day of work in her home garden—a garden that symbolizes hope, resilience, and her efforts to overcome hardship. As the day ends, she continues to look toward a future in which the results of her labor will expand, bringing with them the prospect of a better life.
Reporter: Farahnaz Zaheri
