KRG Announces Completion of 20,000 Olive Trees in Erbil
Minister Talabani expressed gratitude for Germany's continued support, stating, “GIZ has played an important and remarkable role in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture in various fields,” and expressed hope for continued collaboration.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources announced on Sunday the completion of a project to plant 20,000 olive trees in the capital, Erbil, with funding from Germany.
KRG Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Begard Talabani announced the conclusion of this "strategic and important project" on Sunday morning, in the presence of members of the diplomatic community, NGOs, and other government officials.
The afforestation initiative involved the planting of 20,000 olive saplings in Dilopa, a picnic area just outside Erbil. The green project began last year and concluded this week.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH implemented the project with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
In addition to its environmental benefits, the project created job opportunities for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and members of host communities, including women and persons with disabilities.
Minister Talabani expressed gratitude for Germany's continued support, stating, “GIZ has played an important and remarkable role in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture in various fields,” and expressed hope for continued collaboration.
Olive cultivation is a growing agricultural sector in the Kurdistan Region. Hundreds of local farmers have been planting olive trees for years, with the produce being processed into olive oil at seven regional factories.
Shakir Mohammed, a local gardener, highlighted the region's potential: “Kurdistan is a land of gold — very suitable for planting olive trees. Currently, we can export thousands of tons of olive oil,” he told Kurdistan 24.
The Kurdistan Region's seven olive oil factories play a key role in both domestic supply and international export, providing significant benefits to local farmers.
On Feb. 22, 2024, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani visited the Rasan Olive Oil Factory in Halabja Province.
Established in 2018 and currently undergoing expansion, the factory has become a cornerstone of regional olive production, directly and indirectly supporting more than 250 residents of Halabja Province.
