After devastating bombardments in Aleppo following the collapse of the September ceasefire brokered by the United States and Russia, the Syrian army has launched a major offensive to retake the rebel-held eastern part of the city.

As Russian and Syrian government bombs continue to pummel homes and businesses, residents of east Aleppo must brave extreme violence to go about their daily lives. Meanwhile, food shortages are worsening, with people subsisting on food brought from other rebel-controlled areas, leftover aid and homegrown items.

This is where farmer Salim Atrache saw an opportunity. A new farm led by Atrache in Aleppo's outskirts is attempting to feed the besieged, one crop at a time.

"After the siege of Aleppo and the prevention of food from entering the city, there was an urgent need for agricultural self-sufficiency," Atrache told Al Jazeera.

[Full article here | Photo by IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation]