Basra tomato farmers demand more government support and import controls

BASRA — The Al-Zubair and Safwan districts along Iraq’s border with Kuwait are the heart of Basra’s tomato farming industry, with over 2,000 farms spread across a 30-kilometer area in regions such as Al-Raha, Al-Mashrou, and Jabal Sinam. Despite this, farmers say they are facing challenges due to what they say is insufficient government support and the impact of imports during the peak marketing season.

Saleh Hassan, Director of Agriculture in Al-Zubair, emphasized the limited resources provided to local farmers. “The Ministry of Agriculture’s support covers only 30% of the total number of farms,” Hassan explained, adding that tomato production is expected to increase this season to 700,000 tons, up from last year’s 500,000 tons.

Hassan elaborated further, saying, “The number of farms in Al-Zubair and Safwan exceeds 2,000, and this year we’ve seen a 35-40% increase in cultivated land. Each acre produces an average of 16,000 tons of tomatoes per season. However, ministry-provided resources, including seeds, fertilisers, nylon covers, and pesticides, only meet about 30% of actual needs.”

Farmer Faisal Habib highlighted the issues stemming from limited support and unregistered farms. “Over 800 farms are growing tomatoes this year,” Habib told 964media. “We receive minimal support from the Ministry of Agriculture, which we see as more focused on seminars than practical assistance during each tomato season.”

Habib also advocated for a central wholesale market in Al-Zubair similar to Basra City’s Hamdan Market. He explained that the 30-square-kilometer tomato farming area demands significant investment, with each farm costing around 25-30 million dinars (approximately $16,500-$19,900 USD) to cultivate. Last season, local farmers managed to meet Iraq’s demand for tomatoes for four months after they, along with farmers from the Kurdistan Region, pressured the government to temporarily close borders during the marketing period.

Farmer Hussein Abdul Redha praised the soil quality in Al-Zubair and Safwan, noting that it is low in salinity and high in fertility, attracting many farmers since 2003. “Our yields are 40% higher than other tomato-growing areas, such as Al-Shuaiba, Burjisiya, and Al-Rafiya,” he stated. “With quality control measures, border closures during harvest, and genuine support for Iraqi produce, Al-Zubair and Safwan farms could not only meet Iraq’s demand but also export to neighbouring countries.”