SEMA AHMEDI

Sardasht- Sardasht in Iran's West Azerbaijan province is well-known for its various types of black grapes. Black grapes have played an important role in the regional economy for many years. In recent years, farmers in the city of Sardasht have grown black grapes, hoping to increase their profits and create job opportunities; however, they are disappointed this year.

 Because companies have stopped purchasing grapes, causing the prices of grapes to fall and farmers to suffer. The lack of adequate cold storage facilities for grapes in the region and the support of the state and the high production costs have caused a new crisis among farmers.

Companies stopped purchasing

“The quantity of grapes has been high in recent years,” said Mehtap, a grape farmer in the city. “However, there are no adequate cold storage facilities. In addition, the companies have stopped purchasing grapes with the support of the state in order to prevent the production of alcoholic beverages. This is a blow to the economy of farmers. This decision has not only destroyed grapes, but also caused many crises among farmers.”

‘Production costs are very high’

Leila R. has grown black grapes in the region with her spouse for years. Speaking about the challenges faced by farmers, she said, “Production costs are very high. The costs of planting, fertilizing and disinfection are very high. We have to pay around 3,000 tomans to seasonal workers for picking a kilo of grapes. The painful thing is that the companies pay only 4,000 tomans to buy a kilo of grapes. This low price has caused most farmers to suffer and even some to go bankrupt.

Lack of government support

 Sima.Q, an agricultural engineer and environmental activist in Sardasht, pointed to the lack of government support to grape farmers. “The government has already built large processing factories and cold storage facilities in the areas where other products such as beets or potatoes are grown. Although many farmers grow black grapes in Sardasht, there are no adequate cold storage facilities or processing factories. If urgent steps are not taken to improve the condition of farmers in the region and to support farmers, this situation will affect the economy of this region and cause many farmers to go bankrupt.”