Christian olive farmers preserve tradition in Koya’s Harmota neighborhood

KOYA — In the fertile soil of Harmota neighborhood in Erbil’s Koya district, a Christian farmer tends to nearly 1,000 olive trees, continuing a family tradition that has lasted for 45 years.

The olive groves in Harmota yield up to 20 tons of olives annually, supporting the livelihoods of approximately 120 Christian families. Olive cultivation has been the primary trade for the Christian community in Harmota for nearly 200 years, with the skills of growing and curing olives passed down through generations.

Azad Karim, an olive farmer and owner of the grove, told 964media that he personally planted dozens of olive trees in 1979 and has remained dedicated to the trade. “My father and grandfather worked with olives, and now my sons are involved,” Karim said, adding that his family produces around 12 tons annually. “Back then, we, the people of Harmota, were the only ones in Koya growing olives.”

The olive harvest begins each year on Sept. 15 when the olives turn green and are ready for picking. Karim explained that the initial harvest is cured for consumption, while olives destined for oil production are picked later, after three rounds of rain when they have ripened to a dark shade.

Olives are a dietary staple for the community. Karim noted that in times of hardship, residents often relied on bread and olives as their primary sustenance. The olives from Harmota are particularly valued for their large size and small pits, attracting specialty buyers each season.

The olive harvest is deeply woven into the local culture, with women playing a central role in processing and preserving it.