Nurturing the Land: Pomegranate Farmer’s Passion Keeps His Orchard Thriving
"I would rather go thirsty myself than see my trees suffer from thirst," Tahsin says, standing proudly among the abundant pomegranate trees he has nurtured over the years.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Tahsin Brayim Qader, a dedicated pomegranate farmer from Akoyan village, reflects on his deep-rooted connection to farming, an occupation passed down through generations.
"I would rather go thirsty myself than see my trees suffer from thirst," Tahsin says, standing proudly among the abundant pomegranate trees he has nurtured over the years.
"My family has been farming for generations," he shares. "We tend a garden with over 1,000 pomegranate trees, including many young saplings. Each year, we welcome a large number of customers, all of whom know they’re getting fully organic produce."
Tahsin explains that his dedication to organic practices has helped him build a reputation for quality.
"We recycle natural waste like fallen leaves and dried branches by grinding them into a nutrient-rich mixture that we feed back to the trees. Last year alone, we used over 10 containers of animal fertilizer. We also avoid using pesticides with harmful chemicals like arsenic, which can contaminate groundwater. Our dedication to organic farming is clear in the demand we see—customers line up, trusting that our products are both pure and carefully cultivated," he explained.
His orchard is home to 22 varieties of pomegranate, although he focuses on just a few types that are especially popular in Kurdistan.
"The local soil is ideal for agriculture, especially pomegranate farming," Tahsin notes. "We’ve never faced issues selling our products. The demand is so high that our crops are sold out even before the harvest season ends."
Describing his trees, Tahsin reveals the unique aspects of their cultivation.
"Each tree has a different yield. For instance, trees with fewer fruits often produce larger, heavier pomegranates, some weighing up to two kilos each. We even have juicy pomegranates that can yield up to three glasses of juice per fruit," he says.
"When the trees are cared for well and organically, both the upper and lower branches bear plentiful fruit. Some trees even produce over 100 kilos of pomegranates, a testament to the love and effort we put into our work," he remarked.
Tahsin shows pride in a particular type of pomegranate he grows, known as the Jordanian variety. "These pomegranates can weigh around a kilo each, and they’re highly prized," he says.
"Spacing is critical; if trees are planted too close together, they don’t receive enough sunlight, water, or nutrients, resulting in lower yields. But when they’re given the space to grow freely, they flourish," he added.
Reflecting on his devotion to the land, Tahsin shares his philosophy: "A happy tree is like a happy person."
