At the height of the pomegranate harvest season in Iraq's Diyala province, farmers express concerns regarding crop damage and declining prices, attributing these issues to competition from imports and a lack of adequate government support. The situation threatens the survival of the region's renowned pomegranate orchards along the Diyala River.
Abdullah Al-Azzawi, a local farmer, highlights that drought and water shortages, compounded by competition from imports, notably from Iran, Egypt, and Yemen, have diminished the quality and taste of Diyala pomegranates. The reduced flow of the Diyala River has led many farmers to depend on wells, impacting fruit quality and causing local pomegranate prices to fall to 250 dinars per kilogram, in contrast to the higher prices of imported fruits.
Omar Al-Jubouri, another farmer, points out the economic challenges faced by pomegranate farmers, including the high costs of harvesting, transportation, and fertilizers. The lack of government support, especially in providing affordable fertilizers and pesticides, has resulted in a reduction of orchard areas. The decrease in prices forces farmers to delay selling their produce or return it to the orchards, exacerbating their frustration.
Hafidh Mohammed recalls the thriving pomegranate production before 2006 and the efforts to revive the orchards post-liberation. However, he notes the recent challenges, including water scarcity and an influx of imported crops, which undermine local harvests.
The Diyala Directorate of Agriculture acknowledges the decline in pomegranate production due to various factors, including poor maintenance, water scarcity, deforestation, and the impact of military and terrorist operations. Mohammed Al-Mandlawi, a spokesperson for the directorate, reports a decrease in expected yield and attributes it to several adverse factors. He mentions a plan to support and encourage farmers to expand their cultivated areas and increase production but does not provide specific details.
As farmers call for urgent government intervention to curb imports and provide support, the future of Diyala's pomegranate orchards hangs in the balance, with potential implications for the region's agricultural landscape.
Source: Shafaq News