Some of Farmers’ Agricultural Beliefs and Practices in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative study explores the local agricultural beliefs and daily practices of farmers in Duhok Governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan. Because existing literature often focuses on macro-economic agricultural development, there is a critical lack of research emphasizing the lived realities of local farmers. This study employs a qualitative, exploratory design and semi-structured interviews with 14 current and former farmers across five diverse villages around Duhok City. Findings reveal a profound disconnection between farmers’ agricultural knowledge and beliefs and their daily practices. Participants showed a strong desire for food sovereignty, and recognized ecological and health benefits of organic inputs. However, structural neglect, lack of governmental support, and economic pressures force them to rely on chemical inputs and adopt harmful practices. There is a resulting demoralization among farmers, and the younger generation is distancing itself from farming. To ensure agricultural sustainability, the study suggests strict regulatory oversight of chemical inputs, expanded extension services, and the adoption of protective policies to hedge against imported crops.