Annual production tops 1000 tons

Farmers in Maysan take pride in ‘Swedish Lettuce’, drawing buyers from across the region

MAYSAN — Farmers in Qalaat Saleh, located in southern Maysan Governorate, are renowned for producing “Swedish lettuce,” which they claim is tastier than the lettuce grown in Hillah, the capital of Babylon Governorate and another well-known farming area.

In the village of Al-Shati, north of Qalaat Saleh district, the fresh, crisp lettuce draws high demand as farmers sell their harvest directly along the main roads, offering produce straight from the fields.

Swedish lettuce is not a specific botanical variety but rather a term used by local farmers in some regions, such as Maysan, to describe a type of lettuce known for its large size, crisp texture, and distinct flavor—in most cases, romaine lettuce.

“The total area planted with lettuce in Maysan Governorate is 523 dunams [approximately 129 acres], with an annual production of 1,025 tons,” said Hashem Al-Abadi, director of agriculture in Qalaat Saleh. “In Qalaat Saleh alone, 210 dunams [about 52 acres] are cultivated, producing 392 tons annually.”

“Planting begins in October and extends through November,” explained Falah Al-Maliki, a local farmer. “We start with nurseries, and after 40 days, the plants are transferred to the fields. It takes another two months to harvest.”

Al-Maliki highlighted the challenges farmers face, including limited rainfall and water pollution in the Tigris River. “In the past, we sold lettuce in December, but now we’re forced to sell in January because of delays caused by reduced rainfall and snowmelt,” he said. “So far, we’ve sold very little due to these issues.”

Despite these hurdles, farmers maintain daily sales directly from their fields. “We sell our lettuce along the main roads because customers prefer fresh produce,” Al-Maliki said. “Unlike what’s available in markets, our lettuce doesn’t wilt because it’s harvested and sold on the same day.”

The reputation of Qalaat Saleh’s lettuce extends beyond the governorate. “Buyers come from cities like Amarah and Majar al-Kabir,” Al-Maliki noted. “Our lettuce even outshines Hillah’s. Customers often ask to confirm, ‘Is this really local lettuce?’ because of its unique quality and taste.”