The olive tree is one of the most famous trees in the world, thanks to its longevity. Known as an evergreen, it provides numerous economic benefits to its owners and constitutes a long-term source of income.

The countries surrounding the Kurdistan Region place great importance on olive cultivation, particularly for the production of olive oil, which is considered one of the finest and most valuable edible oils. Saudi Arabia, with its vast desert lands, is expected to produce 18,000 tons of olive oil this season, while Jordan will produce 35,000 tons in 2024-2025, and Spain will produce 1.26 million tons in 2024-2025, representing 40-50% of total global production. These statistics demonstrate the significant global interest in olive cultivation for oil production, indicating ongoing investments to achieve the highest levels of quality and diversity in olive oil.

But do we have the capacity to reach the level of neighboring countries and the world in olive oil production? They answer: In the Kurdistan Region, farmers have been provided with scientific information that landowners should know at various stages of cultivation, starting from the initial pre-planting phase and orchard establishment, through land preparation, selection of olive tree varieties and shapes, and finally, harvesting, all according to their financial resources and knowledge. The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, in coordination with the Italian Saham Bar Center, is currently implementing an intensive six-month project in the Kurdistan Region known as the Koris Project, which focuses on the Kurdish olive oil value chain. During this period, several experts in olive tree services from Italy visited the Kurdistan Region, and specialized theoretical and practical training courses were held throughout the region. They also visited numerous olive groves to identify strengths and weaknesses in the scientific methods. In addition, a number of experts visited Italy, the world’s second-largest olive oil producer, to learn about olive tree cultivation and oil production methods, with the aim of becoming mentors for Kurdistan’s farmers in the future. …The ongoing cooperation between Italian experts and the Kurdistan Region will bring about a qualitative leap in olive cultivation and the production of high-quality olive oil, providing ample opportunities for Kurdish investors to invest a portion of their capital in this vital economic sector, which offers good income and economic stability.

Badir Khan Mohammed Amin

Agricultural Expert – Green Solutions Agricultural Consultancy Company