The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Media and Information on June 11 announced that the Kurdistan Region will export 5,000 tons of potatoes to Saudi Arabia next week.
Moreover, Kurdish farmers are expected to produce 750,000 tons of potatoes by the end of 2024.
Read More: Potato Revolution
Director General of Agriculture in Erbil Sayed Hemin Murad underlined that the improved coordination between the KRG and the federal government of Iraq helps farmers market their products abroad.
Read More: Gulf Countries Show Interest in Kurdish Potatoes
The Ninth Cabinet of the KRG has especially focused on supporting the agricultural sector to decrease the dependence on oil revenues.
Read More: Barwari Apples: Kurdistan's Fruitful Economic Renaissance
So far, pomegranates, potatoes, honey, and apples from various regions of Kurdistan have been exported to Gulf and European markets.
Read More: Dutch Consulate General Brings Together Dairy Farmers from Halabja and Duhok
One company that has played a pioneering role is the KH Company, established in 2009, which has increased potato production from 2,000 tons to 650,000 tons with the help of Dutch expertise and potato seeds.
Akre's new wholesale market will be completed soon.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) June 11, 2024
With this $22 million investment, we are supporting our farmers and local traders on one hand and boosting the local economy with new jobs on the other. pic.twitter.com/ERvd6z3NNQ
On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, Prime Minister Barzani, met with potato farmers, who he thanked for their work and reiterated his government’s commitment to fostering further development and support to the agricultural sector.
