ERBIL — Sayed Hemin Murad, the General Director of Agriculture in Erbil, discussed on Saturday recent measures taken to stabilize tomato prices and support local farmers during an interview with Kurdistan 24. 

"Last week, the price of tomatoes reached between 1,500 to 1,750 dinars per kilogram because we had opened the border checkpoints. We later decided to control imports again to protect farmers and boost domestic production," Murad stated.

Highlighting the importance of supporting local agriculture, Murad explained, "We don't allow imports because we are aware that when domestic production in one area stops, it begins in another." Currently, tomato production is in full swing in areas like Haji Omaran, Sidakan, Shekhan, and Penjwen. The local supply from these regions has met the market demand, driving prices down to between 350 and 750 dinars per kilogram.

Murad further noted that farmers have now been permitted to export their produce, with over 100 tons of tomatoes recently sent to Baghdad. This step aims to maintain a balance between the interests of farmers and local buyers. "If the price falls too low, farmers bear the loss," he added.

Murad praised the effectiveness of the Directorate’s plan, which was designed to keep local production competitive and prevent market flooding with imported tomatoes. "The plan was 100% successful; domestic production is expected to meet local needs," Murad said. He emphasized that while prices were temporarily high, this approach ensured that farmers would not incur losses, and imports were kept out of the Kurdistan Region markets during critical production periods.