Arizona and Lady Rosetta Varieties
Diyala’s promising potato harvest reaping high yields
KHALIS, DIYALA, January 21 – Farmers in northern Khalis, a region in Diyala province, are reporting a bumper potato yield this season. The Agricultural Directorate has confirmed this notable rise in production compared to previous years.
Abdullah Al-Obaidi, a local farmer from the Al-Azeem sub-district, told 964media that the areas surrounding the Nai and Sfet rivers, between Khalis and Al-Azeem, are well-known for their potato farming. “We’ve seen a significant improvement in our potato farming and production, largely due to modern irrigation methods, like drip irrigation,” Al-Obaidi said. He noted that their potatoes are particularly favored by chip manufacturers.
Despite the challenges of drought, Al-Obaidi remains optimistic about this season, attributing the success to advanced irrigation techniques and diligent farmland maintenence, which have positively impacted the quality of the potatoes. These potatoes, he explains, are distinct from those typically used in household cooking and are primarily sold to chip factories.
Mohammed Al-Mandalawi, a spokesperson for Diyala Agriculture, offered further details on the production scale. “Last year, we cultivated 986 dunams, yielding 5,580 tons of potatoes. This season, following our previous success, the cultivated area has expanded to over 1,500 dunams, primarily in Khalis, with an expected yield of more than 10,500 tons, potentially reaching 11,000 tons. This marks a significant increase in our production,” he said.
Al-Mandalawi also mentioned that many potato farm owners in Diyala have contracts with various food production, canning, and chip factories. He highlighted that two main potato varieties are grown in the area: Lady Rosetta, used industrially, and Arizona, a variety commonly in homes by consumers.