Aiming for Gulf markets
Babil fig farms enjoy bumper crop
BABIL — The fig farms of Bani Muslim in the Kifl area, south of Hilla, are enjoying a particularly fruitful harvest this year, thanks to early ripening and harvesting spurred by high temperatures. Local authorities expect the fig season to continue until mid-September.
For the past five years, farmers in Bani Muslim have successfully exported their figs to Kuwait. In addition, traders from Oman, Bahrain, and the UAE have expressed interest in acquiring fig saplings for propagation, indicating potential new markets for these local producers.
Thamer Al-Khafaji, Babil’s Director of Agriculture, noted that figs require as much water as rice crops. Fortunately, adequate water supply this season has facilitated high-quality fig production, with Babil anticipating a yield of 80,000 tons, an increase of 3,000 tons from the previous year.
Hussein Al-Muslawi, owner of a fig farm, spoke to 964media about the improvements over last year. “This year’s fig season is much better than last year’s due to the availability of water during the crucial three-month period starting in March,” he said. Al-Muslawi also noted the distinctive qualities of Bani Muslim figs: “Our figs are distinguished by their size and taste, setting them apart from other local and imported varieties.”
The abundant production has enabled Bani Muslim to market their figs not only to Kuwait but also across various Iraqi governorates and the Kurdistan Region for the past five years. The current wholesale prices stand at 2,000 dinars (approximately $1.5) per kilogram, while retail prices reach 3,500 dinars (about $2.7).
Ahmed Abdul-Kadhim, another fig farm owner, explained that their figs are unique in size and flavor, different from Syrian, Turkish, and Spanish varieties. Harvesting begins at 4:30 AM and continues until 11 AM due to high temperatures, with a second session from 3 PM to 7:30 PM.
“Producing figs is the only profession for the people of Bani Muslim and their sole source of income,” Abdul-Kadhim said, stressing the community’s dependency on this crop. He called for more government support to help cover the rising costs of pesticides, pruning, and fertilization.
The thriving fig industry not only sustains the local economy but also provides employment for the youth in Bani Muslim, many of whom support their families by working in local fruit markets.
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