ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Farmers from 12 villages in Kirkuk province gathered in Qarahanjir for the subdistrict’s first fig festival, showcasing locally grown fruit, food and handicrafts in an effort to promote the area’s agricultural produce.
The three-day festival, held along the main Kirkuk-Sulaimani road, features some of the best varieties of figs and other fruits grown in Qarahanjir’s orchards and vineyards. Its location along the busy highway has drawn buyers and visitors, creating a bustling market for local farmers. The event started on Thursday.
Farmers from several villages brought some of the largest quantities of figs to the festival.
“Every year, we have abundant produce in this area, and this festival should be held in Qarahanjir every year because it connects Kirkuk along a strategic road, and the area has very fertile soil for producing figs, pomegranates and other fruits,” participating farmer Sardar Sadraddin told Rudaw's Hiwa Hussamaddin.
Among the varieties on display are figs from the village of Bina, which attracted visitors because of their unusually large size.
“This is the Bina fig. Just seven to eight of these figs weigh nearly one kilogram. It is a very tasty fig, and in some years I produce three to four tons,” farmer Sabah Hamazayar said.
The festival also features dozens of types of food and beverages, handicrafts and musical performances.
“This is the first time a festival of this kind has been held in our subdistrict,” stallholder Muzhda Idris said. “As young people, we wanted to participate with our own local products. Alongside the products, we have prepared homemade foods such as biryani and dolma.”
The festival was organized under the supervision of the Qarahanjir administration and brings together 40 farmers and vendors from the area.
