In addition to its beautiful nature, Shengal also hosts many special products in its lands. For all Shengal residents, summer is a source of natural products. Many agricultural products and fruits of Shengal also enter the Iraqi market. Figs are one of the products mentioned in the famous dengbêjî works and poems of the Yazidis. Figs grow in many parts of Shengal, but Warê Xidirê is one of the regions where they grow the most. Mam Xêro, 53, has been farming here for 33 years.

Our people enjoy farming

Mam Xêro says that he started farming in 1971 when he was 20 years old, and now he grows 250 fig trees with his children. Stating that the people of the region are mostly engaged in agriculture, he said: "Farming was better in the past. People do not engage in farming anymore, but our people enjoy farming. When I am bored at home, I take care of those vineyards."

Fig planting is done in March

Stating that they started planting fig trees in March, Mam Xêro shared the following information:

"The fig tree grows in 3–4 years in wetland, but in 6–7 years in dry land. In the past, farming was difficult. We used animals. Now there are tractors, the workload has become lighter. In the past, we irrigated our fields by carrying water with animals, but now we have a borehole, and we can irrigate the entire field in one day.

Mam Xêro pointed out that despite these facilities, there were no diseases in the past, but now they are fighting against many diseases. He said that they are trying to overcome it with pesticides, adding: "However, some pesticides cause harm. You can also obtain these pesticides from agricultural offices. We want to buy good medicines and know their benefits and harms. Due to some medication, maggots get into the figs."

Sold in Shengal and Mosul markets

Shengal's famous figs begin to be collected in August. Mam Xêro said that after the figs were harvested, they were left in the sun for a day, and then tied together on a string. Xêro said that finally, after long work, these figs took their place on the shelves in Shengal and Mosul markets.