Economic crunch revives farming in Soran

SORAN, Kurdistan Region —  Economic strife has prompted many to turn to farming in mountainous areas of the Kurdistan Region. 

Abdulwahab Khidr used to work as a truck driver, but has turned to farming after a drop in wages. 

Many people have taken to planting vegetables in the foothills of Hassan Beg mountain in Soran, Erbil province. 

“Wherever there is water and a piece of land, we have cultivated it. People have come from Soran and different places and rented land to plant tomatoes,” farmer Sherzad Karim told Rudaw. 

According to statistics from the Soran District Agricultural Administration, the number of farmers working in mountainous areas has increased to 1,600, up from 900 last year. 

However, farmers worry they need help to sell their products. 

“350-400 farmers have planted tomatoes in the foothills of Hassan Beg mountain. They have spent from 3 million IQD up to 20 million IQD ($2500- $16,800). How can you earn back this amount if you are not supported by the government?" said farmer Osman Hamid

"We want nothing from the government in terms of fertilizers and chemicals. What we want is them to provide us with good marketing,” he added.

Reporting by Bakhtiyar Qadir