Geographical distribution and concentration coefficient of some summer vegetable crops in Erbil Governorate

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the spatial variation of cultivation of select summer vegetable crops in Erbil governorate, focusing on the discrepancies observed between districts. The research involved the examination and analysis of cultivated areas of six crops - tomatoes, eggplants, okra, peppers, cucumbers, and watermelons - within the administrative units of Erbil Governorate during the period of 2007 to 2020. The study aimed to determine the distribution patterns of these crops and to establish their relative importance, concentration coefficients, and competitiveness across districts. The findings revealed significant variability in the areas cultivated with the selected crops across the study period and administrative units. The district of Erbil Center recorded the highest cultivation area for these crops at 203,652 dunums, while Rawanduz district recorded the lowest area at 3217 dunums. The Joman district demonstrated the highest concentration coefficient at 1.43, while the Shaqlawa district recorded the lowest coefficient at 0.42. Moreover, analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated significant and statistically noteworthy differences in the production averages of the studied crops across administrative units in Erbil Governorate. This study highlights the importance of understanding spatial variation in crop cultivation and production, as such knowledge can inform agricultural policies aimed at improving productivity and economic growth in Erbil Governorate.