At a Glance

• The 12th Halabja Pomegranate Festival brings four days of agricultural, commercial, cultural and social activities.

• The festival celebrates local growers and showcases Halabja’s renowned pomegranate production.

• More than 2,200 growers work across 10,600 dunams of pomegranate orchards in the area, according to the Agriculture Directorate.

• Channel8 is providing special festival coverage, with daily prize giveaways for participating visitors.

Halabja has opened its 12th annual Pomegranate Festival, celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage and the dedication of local growers through four days of commercial, cultural and community activities.

Key Statements and Focus Areas

Celebrating Halabja’s Agricultural Heritage

• The annual festival highlights pomegranates and related products while providing growers and local businesses with an opportunity to showcase their produce.

• Organizers expect thousands of visitors during the four-day event.

• Agricultural officials continue to support growers through guidance on orchard management and modern cultivation methods.

Growers Expand Production and Planting

Faridun Namdar, owner of the Hanjari Sazan brand, told Channel 8:

• More than 273 orchard owners have benefited from support initiatives associated with Qubad Talabani.

• He said growers had planted substantial numbers of new pomegranate saplings.

• Namdar highlighted the importance of further promoting Halabja’s pomegranates and called for the festival to gain international recognition.

Namdar also said more than 250,000 saplings had been planted since 2023. His claim that Halabja’s pomegranate production ranks fourth globally requires independent verification before being presented as a confirmed international ranking.

Weather Challenges and Agricultural Support

Star Mahmoud, Director of Agriculture in Halabja, told Channel 8:

• Halabja has approximately 10,600 dunams of pomegranate orchards and around 2,200 growers.

• The expected harvest this year is approximately 20,000 tonnes, compared with around 30,000 tonnes last year.

• Cooler spring conditions delayed flowering and contributed to the reduction in production.

• Agricultural authorities continue to provide guidance and training to help growers improve cultivation and orchard management.

Channel8 at the Festival

• Channel 8 is providing extensive coverage of the festival and its activities.

• Visitors can register at the channel’s dedicated stage to participate in prize draws.

• The channel says it will award one iPhone 18 Pro Max each day over the four-day festival, alongside pomegranates for participating visitors.

Halabja is celebrating its agricultural heritage as the 12th Pomegranate Festival opens, bringing together growers, businesses and visitors for four days of activities dedicated to one of the area’s signature agricultural products.

The festival provides a platform for local producers to display their pomegranates and related products, connect with visitors and promote the work of the farming community. It also highlights the importance of continued investment in agriculture and the development of local markets.

According to Star Mahmoud, director of agriculture in Halabja, approximately 2,200 growers work across 10,600 dunams of pomegranate orchards in the area. Although this year’s harvest is expected to reach around 20,000 tonnes, down from approximately 30,000 tonnes last year, the festival continues to showcase the sector’s role in the local economy.

Mahmoud attributed the lower forecast to cooler spring weather, which delayed the trees’ flowering. He said agricultural officials continue to provide growers with advice and training on modern cultivation techniques to support orchard productivity.

Local producers are also emphasizing the progress made in expanding cultivation. Faridun Namdar, owner of the Hanjari Sazan brand, told Channel 8 that more than 273 orchard owners had benefited from support initiatives associated with Qubad Talabani. He also cited the planting of more than 250,000 saplings since 2023 and called for greater international recognition of Halabja’s pomegranate sector.

The festival further offers an opportunity to promote local produce to a wider audience. Reported retail prices range from 250 to 1,500 Iraqi dinars per kilogram, depending on the pomegranate variety.

Channel 8 is participating with dedicated coverage and daily prize draws, including one iPhone 18 Pro Max giveaway per day. The initiative adds a public-engagement element to an event centered on local farmers, agricultural products and Halabja’s cultural identity.

As the festival continues, its activities highlight the contribution of growers and the potential to expand recognition of Halabja’s agricultural products through stronger promotion, improved cultivation and wider market access.

FYI

Halabja’s Pomegranate Festival is more than a seasonal celebration: it offers local growers a platform to promote their produce, strengthen connections with consumers and draw attention to the area’s agricultural potential. While this year’s harvest is expected to be lower because of spring weather conditions, continued investment in orchard management, planting and market promotion could help sustain the sector and broaden recognition of Halabja’s pomegranates.

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