PHOTOS: Erbil hosts festival for local agricultural products

Kurdish gums, Doogh, nuts, cooking oil, and honey are all displayed in the festival. 

Locally grown pomegranates from Kurdistan Region's Halabja Province are showcased in Erbil festival, Nov. 11, 2021. (Photo: Rebaz Siyan and Islam Hero/K24)
Locally grown pomegranates from Kurdistan Region's Halabja Province are showcased in Erbil festival, Nov. 11, 2021. (Photo: Rebaz Siyan and Islam Hero/K24)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region's capital Erbil began its annual festival for locally produced agricultural products on Thursday. 

The three-day-long festival is being hosted at Erbil's Shanadar Park. It starts in the morning and lasts until late in the afternoon. 

Azad Kurdistani, known as
Azad Kurdistani, known as "exceptional farmer" for his innovative agricultural techniques, holds a pomegranate at Erbil festival, Nov. 11, 2021. (Photo: Rebaz Siyan & Islam Hero/Kurdistan 24)

Farmers across the region are using the festival to showcase their products. Consumer demand for locally-made produce is growing in the Kurdistan Region. 

Kurdish gums, Doogh, nuts, cooking oil, and honey are all displayed in the festival. 

A Kurdish woman sells locally produced Doogh in Erbil festival, Nov. 11, 2021. (Photo: Hero Mawludi/Kurdistan24)
A Kurdish woman selling locally produced Doogh in Erbil festival, Nov. 11, 2021. (Photo: Hero Mawludi/Kurdistan24)

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) intends to diversify its hydrocarbon-reliant economy by supporting agricultural initiatives, particularly local farmers.

On Nov. 3, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani inaugurated an agricultural fair in Erbil that was jointly organized by both the Iraqi and Kurdistan ministries of agriculture.

Read More: PM Barzani inaugurates new agricultural fair in Erbil

Kurdish gams are displayed in Erbil festival, Nov. 11, 2021. (Photo: Hero Mawludi/Kurdistan24)
Kurdish gams are displayed in Erbil festival, Nov. 11, 2021. (Photo: Hero Mawludi/Kurdistan24)

Halabja Province recently held its annual pomegranates festival, where various kinds of locally-grown fruit were on offer. Thousands, both from inside and outside Halabja, attended. 

Read More: PHOTOS: Despite drought-affected orchards, Halabja launches pomegranate fair

Nuts, honey, dried berries, and Kurdish foodstuff displayed at Erbil festival, Nov. 11, 2021. (Photo: Hero Mawludi/Kurdistan24)
Nuts, honey, dried berries, and Kurdish foodstuff displayed at Erbil festival, Nov. 11, 2021. (Photo: Hero Mawludi/Kurdistan24)