SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Farmers in Penjwen, Sulaimani’s agricultural hub, face ongoing challenges in selling their produce. The influx of imported goods forces them to sell at lower prices, resulting in financial losses and unsold products.
Known for its diverse vegetables and fruits, Penjwen’s farmers often find that market prices don’t even cover half of their production costs. This results in significant financial strain, causing many to consider leaving farming behind.
Azad Khasraw shared his frustration after working five months only to be outpaced by Iranian imports. Speaking to Zoom News, he called on the KRG Agriculture Ministry to ban these imports, emphasizing the dependence of local livelihoods on agriculture and the urgent need for better market access.

Azad Khasraw, a farmer in Penjwen, speaking to Zoom News.
Hamid Mohammed is also a farmer in Penjwen. He explained the financial hardship of selling produce, with market prices failing to cover production, harvesting, and transportation costs. This situation forces them to either let their produce spoil or sell at a loss.

Hamid Mohammed, a farmer in Penjwen, speaking to Zoom News.
Penjwen’s renowned watermelons and other summer vegetables are often marketed through businesses in southern Iraq. Without this avenue, farmers are left to sell at makeshift stalls along the local public reads.
“If farmers received support such as fertilizers, fuel for ploughing, pesticides, and other agricultural assistance, they wouldn’t have as many complaints. They endure five months of hard work until the harvest season and often have to rent land,” Mohammed said.

A tomato field in Sulaimani’s Penjwen district.
Despite their high-quality products, Penjwen farmers face persistent profitability issues, leading many to abandon agriculture for city life.
Reporting by Avin Atta.