ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - It was a good year for Soran’s farmers because of plenty of water and favourable government policies, an official told Rudaw on Friday. "Compared to last year, the agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables, and grains, have significantly increased," said Kamaran Hussein, head of Soran’s agricultural directorate. Several factors contributed to that success. “This year was a year of sufficient rainfall,” Hussein explained, adding that there were also fewer “diseases and insects” plaguing the crops. The government also used an agricultural calendar to determine how to impose bans on imported produce "until local products are sold in the markets,” he said. Iraq's ministerial council for the economy in September suspended tomato imports to boost sales for Kurdistan Region’s farmers. Kurdish farmers have repeatedly protested against the government, accusing it of failing to provide adequate support, including providing seeds and subsidies, while allowing the import of foreign goods that mean local produce is sold at a loss due to low prices. Farmers have demonstrated against the presence of banned imports that have pushed their produce out of the market and on several occasions have destroyed their crops in protest.
