Heavy rainfall revives agriculture across 2 million dunums in Sulaymaniyah

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq — The Sulaymaniyah Agriculture Directorate said the past rainy season was one of the most productive in recent years, with about 795 millimeters of rainfall recorded across the province. Deputy Director Jewtiar Khalid said more than 2 million dunums of farmland had visibly benefited from the precipitation, adding that strong harvests of several local crops have allowed surplus produce to be marketed to other Iraqi cities. Preparations are underway, he said, to export certain vegetables and fruits. The improved rainfall has also revitalized grazing land, creating better feed supplies for sheep, cattle and other livestock, according to the directorate. Khalid noted that the current season provides a suitable foundation for the livestock sector to recover after years of drought. Meat prices, however, remain high, a trend Khalid attributed to global increases in livestock prices, the lingering effects of previous dry years and restrictions on animal imports. He added that the price pressure is not driven by local factors alone, and that the new season is expected to ease conditions gradually.