Gardening enthusiast opens hometown nursery to promote greenery

MAYSAN – Determined to promote greenery in his hometown of Al-Qala’a Al-Salih, Maysan governorate, Yass Khudair has transformed his home into a nursery, offering over 25 types of saplings. From climbing bougainvillea and rosemary to figs and acacia, Khudair’s initiative aims to inspire local interest in gardening and contribute to environmental sustainability.

“I started this project at home, initially bringing in small quantities of plants just for friends and family,” Khudair told 964media. “But after noticing a strong interest from locals in gardening, I decided to open a nursery. I opened the nursery a week ago, driven by my love for gardening and planting trees.”

The nursery, located in the Shahid Al-Sadr neighborhood, features saplings sourced from Baghdad and other provinces. Khudair’s father, Khudair Al-Furaiji, encouraged his son to start the small business, noting the absence of a local nursery. “There’s been significant demand, especially for perennial plants,” Al-Furaiji said. The family has also participated in local tree-planting initiatives to further their mission.

Iraq faces severe environmental challenges, including water scarcity, drought, and shrinking green spaces. The United Nations ranks Iraq as the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change. Green areas in cities like Baghdad have decreased dramatically, dropping from 50% to 17%, largely due to rapid urban expansion and inadequate environmental protections.