DUHOK, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Region has seen a significant increase in potato yield this year, with farmers now exporting their produce internationally. This development is due to expanded cultivation and improved agricultural practices.
In Sheikhan, farmers like Anwar have been busy harvesting their potato crops. Anwar, who dedicated 250 dunams of land to potato farming this year, reported yields ranging from 20 to 25 tons. Standard potatoes make around 400 Iraqi dinars per kilogram, with rarer types reaching up to 550 dinars.
The harvested potatoes are collected in plastic bags, stored in refrigeration, and loaded onto trucks for transportation. Luqman Haji, Marketing Director at KH Company, highlighted the role of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in supporting exports. “This year’s yield was abundant. Most of last year’s yield was exported abroad, specifically to Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Jordan,” Haji said. He noted that KH Company has also exported apples to Qatar.
With the Kurdistan Region's potato production on the rise, farmers are preparing to export their surplus to southern Iraqi provinces and international markets.
Reporting by Ali Dewali pic.twitter.com/UwtrbKuvfw
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This year, 350 farmers have cultivated 10,500 dunams of land with potatoes. Najmadeen Abdullah, Director of Sheikhan Agriculture Department, expressed optimism about the season’s output. “Last year, Sheikhan district produced 170,000 tons of potatoes. This year, we expect to exceed 200,000 tons due to increased cultivation and greater farmer involvement,” Abdullah stated.
Potatoes remain a staple in the Kurdistan Region, and the annual increase in yield reflects the Region’s growing agricultural capabilities. As farmers continue to improve their practices and expand their markets, the future of potato farming in Kurdistan looks promising.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced Tuesday the Region will produce one million tons of potato, with plans to export over 40,000 tons, mainly to Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Reporting by Ali Dewali
