Soran
Strong wind damage orchards in Sidakan
SIDAKAN – Strong winds have swept through Sidakan district, under Soran’s administration, for the past two days, wreaking havoc on local agricultural production, particularly pear and apple orchards, local officials and farmers report.
Jihad Asaad, a farmer affected by the weather, told 964media that the winds have significantly damaged this season’s produce. “We get no profit from the damaged produce; we sell a small box of pears or apples for only 2,000 IQD ($1.5),” he said.
Sabir Sheikho, who owns an orchard mostly consisting of pears, noted that the immature fruits have been plucked from their branches. “We have to throw away a large portion of the produce because it is spoiled and unsellable,” Sheikho added.
Abdulrahman Mustafa, head of the Sidakan Agriculture Department, acknowledged the impact of the winds, describing it as “significant damage.”
“Nothing can be done as it is a natural event,” Mustafa told 964media.
The department is currently assessing the extent of the damage and determining if other products are affected. Pear trees have been the most affected, and while there are no precise statistics on the number of pear and apple orchards in the area, it is recognized for its fruit production.
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