A Young Woman’s Path to Livelihood: Haboub’s Dairy Business in Kirkuk

In the Al Rashad sub-district of Kirkuk governorate, 23-year-old Haboub is transforming everyday skills into a growing source of income, confidence, and community trust.

Growing up around cattle and fresh milk, Haboub learned the basics early, how to milk carefully, keep tools clean, and handle dairy products at home. What once supported only her household has now become the foundation of a small  but modern dairy business, supplying neighbours and local shops with reliable, high-quality milk and dairy products.

“I grew up helping my family with the cows,” Haboub says. “At the time, it was just part of daily life. I didn’t imagine it could become a real business.”

Empowering Women Through Agriculture

That changed when Haboub joined the Sustainable Employment Opportunities Through Support to Agriculture and Agri-Businesses project implemented by World Vision Iraq in partnership with UNDP and funded by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and KfW Development Bank, which combines agricultural training with practical business coaching and on-the-ground mentoring. Through hands-on sessions, participants learned improved cattle husbandry, milk hygiene and handling, and basic dairy processing, such as yogurt and soft cheese, alongside essential business skills like record keeping, cost control, and pricing.

“The training was very practical,” Haboub explains. “We learned by doing, watching demonstrations, practicing together, and then applying the steps at home.”

With a clear action plan, Haboub reorganized her dairy routine. She introduced a simple, clean milking workflow using food-grade filters and stainless-steel milk cans, along with a routine to cool milk quickly and protect it until sale. She established short, predictable delivery routes to nearby households and shops, building trust through consistency and hygiene.

“Quality starts from the first step,” she says. “Clean hands, clean tools, and cooling the milk properly make all the difference.”

Haboub also began keeping simple notebooks to track daily milk yields, feed purchases, and sales. These records help her price products fairly while covering costs. During weeks with surplus milk, she produces fresh yogurt and soft cheese using safe, basic methods that preserve both flavor and quality.

The impact of these changes is visible at home and in the wider community. A steadier income has reduced financial stress for Haboub’s family and made it possible to plan ahead, for animal feed, veterinary care, and small improvements to the cowshed. Family members now help with cleaning equipment, labeling products, and making deliveries, turning the business into a shared effort and a source of pride.

“When we work together, it feels like we are building something for our future,” Haboub says.

Local shops report fewer returns and more repeat customers for Haboub’s dairy products, while young women from the area often visit to observe her routine, from timing the milking and maintaining hygiene to cooling milk and tracking expenses.

“I tell them you don’t need to start big,” Haboub says with a smile. “Start clean, start organized, and grow step by step.”

As Haboub continues to grow her dairy business, she is proving that with the right skills, practical support, and determination, local knowledge can become a sustainable livelihood, benefiting families, strengthening communities, and opening new paths for young women in Kirkuk.

Note: To safeguard the privacy of the individual featured, no identifiable images have been used.