Known for sweet taste
Harvesting of Harir Plain muskmelons begins in Erbil district
HARIR — The harvesting season for the highly regarded Harir Plain muskmelons, celebrated for their unique sweetness and flavor, is underway. Farmers in the Harir district of Erbil are actively harvesting and selling these coveted fruits along local roadsides.
Known for their distinctive taste, Harir muskmelons attract numerous travelers each day, who stop to purchase them on intercity routes. Additionally, significant quantities of the fruit are transported to other cities within the Kurdistan Region, including Erbil and Soran.
“Every day, we go to our vineyard, harvest the muskmelons, and sell them by the roadside. Customers seek out these local products for their special taste, and we have regular buyers,” said Karwan Rasool, a local farmer, in an interview with 964media.
Farmers in Harir start planting the muskmelons in April, and the harvest begins three months later, continuing for about 40 days. The muskmelons are sold locally for 1,000 Iraqi dinars (about $0.76) per kilogram and are distributed across the region using pickup trucks.
Approximately 124 acres of land in the Harir Plain are dedicated to cultivating these muskmelons, taking full advantage of the area’s suitable soil and climate conditions.