Nineveh sees revival of palm cultivation as Mosul nursery expands reach

NINEVEH — A government-run palm tree nursery in the Al-Mahlabiya area, about 35 kilometers west of Mosul, is drawing growing interest from farmers across Nineveh and neighboring regions, as once-rare southern date palm varieties take root in Iraq’s north.

Established in 2012, the Mahlabiya Palm Station is the only nursery of its kind in Nineveh governorate and across the broader northern region. Spanning 30 dunams, it is one of 35 palm cultivation facilities overseen by Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture.

“The Mahlabiya Palm Station was founded in 2012 and includes eight varieties, including Zahdi, Sayer, Shweithi, Khadhrawi, and Khistawi,” said Ahmad Salam al-Hamdani, the station’s director. “The goal of the project is to expand palm cultivation, produce saplings and dates, and support Mosul with the trees it needs. We have a yearly production plan.”

The station currently holds around 800 mature palm trees, excluding saplings. Saplings are sold to farmers and local residents at subsidized prices ranging from 3,750 to 8,500 Iraqi dinars ($2.64 to $5.99), depending on the variety. Fully grown trees sell for about 11,000 dinars ($7.75). Sales are reservation-based, and buyers are responsible for uprooting and transport.

“Customers come from western Nineveh and southern Mosul,” al-Hamdani said. “We’ve also supplied buyers in Zakho, Duhok, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah.”

The nursery operates a drip irrigation system using sulfur-rich well water, which al-Hamdani said helps prevent pests and fungal infections. Since 2018, the station has also produced date harvests from its own trees.

“The soil here is clay-based, which suits palm cultivation, and the current climate in Mosul—especially with climate change—has become favorable,” he said. “This time, climate change has had a positive impact.”

Palms are planted on a 10-by-10 meter grid to allow for intercropping with citrus trees. A 5-dunam expansion is planned, and agriculture officials hope to establish a new 33-dunam palm station in nearby Sheikh Ibrahim, pending approval and funding.

Riyad Abdullah, a worker at the station, described the care routine. “We clean weeds regularly, irrigate three to four times a week, and prune twice a year. Propagation is done through saplings, some of which we replant, while others are sold.”

Ali Abd, a farmer from a nearby village, said he recently purchased 25 Khadhrawi saplings. “I plan to plant them as a trial, and if they succeed, I’ll expand the cultivation,” he said.