25,000 Blooms: Xurmal Greenhouse to Green Halabja

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In the heart of Xurmal, a town celebrated for its natural beauty and floral abundance, a transformative environmental project is nearing completion. Within days, officials will inaugurate what is poised to become the largest agricultural nursery in the area—an ambitious endeavor aimed at significantly expanding green spaces across Halabja province and its surroundings.

Speaking to Kurdistan24’s correspondent Asan Mohammed, Khaylan Abdulrahman, Director General of Municipalities in Halabja, confirmed that the new greenhouse will have the capacity to produce approximately 25,000 flowers and a variety of plant seedlings.

“Thanks to this nursery, we will be able to supply Halabja and its districts with ample flowers and seedlings. Our plan even includes making them available for household use,” he said. “We have a wide range of plants, including garden flowers and red plane trees, which we used to import from Sulaimani and Erbil. Once the project is completed, we’ll begin bringing in specialized soil and grow them locally.”

Miran Khalid, the greenhouse supervisor, emphasized the daily commitment involved. “I’m here every day to monitor every aspect of the project and to make sure it’s progressing successfully and sustainably,” he told Kurdistan24.

The project has sparked considerable excitement among residents of Xurmal, who see it not only as a source of pride but also as a contributor to public health and local economic vitality.

Farouq Aziz, a local citizen, expressed his joy to Kurdistan24: “As green spaces increase, people’s health improves. We are very happy to have this nursery here. We won’t need to travel to Sulaimani or Erbil anymore just to buy plants.”

Once operational, the Xurmal nursery will facilitate large-scale greening efforts throughout Halabja and its towns—including Xurmal, Biyara, Sirwan, and Bamo—eliminating dependence on other cities and reducing the costs and logistical burdens associated with seedling transport.

The initiative marks a major stride in environmental development for the province and reinforces the idea that investing in nature is an investment in both public well-being and regional aesthetics.

The launch of the Khurmal nursery also comes at a symbolic moment in the region's history. Halabja was recently recognized as Iraq’s 19th official province—a long-awaited administrative elevation that underscores its growing political, cultural, and environmental importance. The establishment of such infrastructure projects affirms Halabja’s capacity to lead in sustainable development while honoring its unique legacy and identity.