Galala entrepreneur builds ‘Village Girl’ brand around natural honey and local goods

SULAYMANIYAH — Rezhna Hussein, a resident of Galala village in Sulaymaniyah governorate, has spent the past five years building a social media-based business called “Kchi Dehat” — or “Village Girl” — offering a range of local goods with a focus on natural honey.

“We are beekeepers, and besides honey, we sell other products like molasses, paste, and Kurdish gum,” Hussein told 964media.

She said the honey is produced by her family, who maintain hives in high-altitude, mountainous areas. “Some we produce ourselves, like honey. We are a family of beekeepers,” she said, adding that other items are sourced from villages in the region.

Hussein stressed the importance of consumer awareness when buying natural products. “People should recognize genuine natural honey. It is not cheap and requires care, attention, and effort,” she said. “To fully ensure the authenticity and naturalness of honey, either take it to a lab for testing or buy it from someone you trust.”

She said the family takes steps to ensure that their honey contains no additives, including sugar, and emphasized the value of supporting local producers who follow traditional practices.