Fungal disease devastates walnut harvest in Erbil’s Balakayati, halving production

ERBIL — This year’s walnut harvest in the Balakayati region within the Soran Independent Administration has suffered a severe setback due to a widespread fungal disease, drastically reducing both the quantity and quality of the crop. Farmers report that the yield is only half of what it was in previous years, with many of the harvested walnuts being small and rotten.

Ramazan Hassan, a local farmer in Balakayati, told 964media, “This year, the walnut yield is much lower than usual, cutting our production by about half. The nuts that we have are small and of poor quality.”

The scale of the damage is extensive. Dilshad Hussein, head of the Choman Agriculture Department, said, “Due to the spread of fungal disease among walnut trees in Balakayati, the walnut production has decreased dramatically. Out of every 1,000 walnuts, about 500 are rotten.” Hussein stressed the need for urgent solutions, noting, “We are searching for remedies to stop the spread of this disease because walnuts are a vital crop, and we must protect them.”

The disease, which has blackened the bark of walnut trees, is associated with several types of fungi and has been exacerbated by heavy rainfall earlier this year. This has significantly weakened the trees, contributing to the sharp decline in production. Farmers are now seeking solutions to prevent further damage in the coming years.

On September 30, 2024, the Directorate of Agricultural Research in Erbil launched an investigation into the fungal infection affecting walnut trees after receiving reports of the damage. Local agricultural statistics indicate that Balakayati is home to more than 100,000 walnut trees, with past yields reaching 70 tons annually. However, this year’s projections are much lower.

Many locals keep a portion of their harvest for personal use, share with family and friends, and sell the rest. Current market prices for walnuts range from 60,000 to 85,000 dinars for 1,000 walnuts. The farmers remain hopeful that a solution can be found to prevent future crop losses.