Baladi News - UNHCR
Foothills of fragrant olive groves blossomed on Abdul’s farm in Syria, before conflict forced him to flee. Now resettled in Ireland, the 73-year-old farmer is being given the chance to put down new roots and care for an orchard of apple trees.
“Trees are like humans, they need to breathe,” says Abdul, tending to a branch. “So we prune them and let the air blow through, just like with olive trees in Syria.”
Abdul is taking part in a ten-week ‘social farming’ initiative on Ahena Farm in County Mayo, after being resettled to Ireland under a programme run by the Government in partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The scheme offers resettled refugees a chance to work and exchange skills with local farmers.
His placement is one of several funded by Social Farming Irland and organized by the South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC), which supports communities and individuals across the west of Ireland.
So far, Abdul and owner Oliver Dixon are reaping the rewards of their skills exchange and finding similiarities.
“Trees are the same everywhere, the only difference is the weather,” says Abdul, chuckling as he looks up at the grey clouds forming over the wet green fields around him.
Margaret Leahy from SWMDC says there is nothing unique about the farms who take part.
“These are ordinary working farms,” she explains. “They are not therapeutic farms or specially designed around one group of people. They are normal, honest to God farms. That’s why they work so well.”
As well as taking care of apple trees, Abdul and fellow Syrian refugee Faisal feed the cattle, cut firewood and tend to the gardens and plants that grow in a polytunnel. In return, the farms learn about how these things are done in other countries.
According to Leahy, many farmers look forward to working with others.
“Farmers find it great as they get introduced to new social circles. It broadens their horizons.”
The skills many refugees bring with them are also invaluable to the Irish farming industry. Amid a shortage, the Irish Farmers Association has estimated that 23,000 workers will be needed over the next decade to meet targets set down by the government.
