Iraq's sustainable olive farm - in pictures


  • Among olive groves that were once a front line between ISIS and Iraqi forces, Yunis Salman and a few fellow farmers are harnessing what they believe should be the future of Middle East agriculture: the power of the sun. All photos: Reuters
    Among olive groves that were once a front line between ISIS and Iraqi forces, Yunis Salman and a few fellow farmers are harnessing what they believe should be the future of Middle East agriculture: the power of the sun. All photos: Reuters
  • Solar panels installed last year between his family's 1,500 olive trees help to power water pumping and irrigation, providing enough for production and several hours of electricity each day for their home.
    Solar panels installed last year between his family's 1,500 olive trees help to power water pumping and irrigation, providing enough for production and several hours of electricity each day for their home.
  • Mr Salman believes solar power should be the future of agriculture and energy in the Middle East, where stifling summers are getting longer and hotter.
    Mr Salman believes solar power should be the future of agriculture and energy in the Middle East, where stifling summers are getting longer and hotter.
  • Fighting around Mosul in 2016-2017 destroyed vast amounts of infrastructure, including in this rich agricultural area where buildings have been flattened by air strikes.
    Fighting around Mosul in 2016-2017 destroyed vast amounts of infrastructure, including in this rich agricultural area where buildings have been flattened by air strikes.
  • Water sprinklers on a farm that uses solar panels.
    Water sprinklers on a farm that uses solar panels.
  • At little cost beyond the initial solar panels set-up, his farm produces 40 tonnes of olives a year.
    At little cost beyond the initial solar panels set-up, his farm produces 40 tonnes of olives a year.