BATAS, Kurdistan Region - Farmers have begun this year’s rice harvest on the plains of Batas in Erbil province. Evern with water shortages, they are happy with the bumper crop.
“Despite the drought this year, rice farmers in Batas can make a good profit if the price is as good as the yield,” said Himdad Omer, a local farmer.
The Kurdistan Region is in the midst of a water crisis due to a lack of rain, government funds, and dams being built in neighboring Iran, officials have told Rudaw earlier this year.
An estimated 25,000 dunams of paddy fields were planted in the Kurdistan Region, which are expected to produce more than 100,000 tons of rice.
The harvest season begins in mid-October every year.
“This year was a good year. Drought did not impact the farmers of Batas village. Though it affected wheat, it did not influence rice,” said Najat Qadir, a farmer.
“Some farmers who plant rice neglect it while it's growing and maybe their product will not exceed 50 tons, and then they may say it wasn't a good year. If you care for your rice, each kilo may yield 200 to 250 kilos,” Qadir explained.
Video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
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