Residents of Turkmen village in Nineveh call for agricultural support in face of decline

NINEVEH — The Turkmen village of Qizil Qiu, located southwest of Tal Afar in Iraq’s Nineveh governorate, is known for its age-old agricultural heritage, is struggling to sustain its livelihood as declining government support and economic challenges take their toll. Once home to 250 families, the village now houses only 80 after many residents fled during the 2014 ISIS occupation.

Residents are calling for urgent government assistance to revive the village’s farming sector, which is central to its identity. “I own five dunams [1.2 acres] of land, but I cannot cultivate it due to the lack of support,” said Ghanim Abbas, a resident who raises livestock alongside farming. “If we had pumps and irrigation systems, I could grow eggplants, tomatoes, and cucumbers—crops our village is famous for.”

Qizil Qiu has a history spanning more than 150 years. Its name, meaning “fresh water,” originates from the naturally warm waters that once flowed there, according to local elder Khadr Ali. The village is inhabited by members of the Bayram and Jark clans, who consider themselves one unified community.

“Simplicity defines the lives of the residents,” Ali said. “Before 2014, there were about 250 families, but many relocated to cities like Karbala and Najaf after ISIS. Now only a fraction remain.”

The village has long been known for its vegetables, particularly eggplants. However, the cost of drilling wells and the absence of financial aid have hindered agricultural production. Residents say the situation has left them unable to invest in the equipment needed to restore their farmland.

For now, Qizil Qiu’s remaining residents continue to rely on a mix of small-scale farming and livestock to survive, hoping for the assistance that could bring their village back to life.