From simple service jobs in Berlin’s restaurants to transforming deserts in Iraq, my journey has been one of humble beginnings and relentless pursuit of passion. I started my career in gastronomy while studying electrical engineering at TU Berlin. Realizing that engineering was not my true calling, I pivoted to business administration. This change led me to launch a variety of ventures, including a Yellow Pages-like project in Iraq, two media agencies, a construction company, an F&B business, and ultimately, The Food Forests.

My core principles are simple yet profound: treat people as you wish to be treated and leave places better than you found them. These beliefs align seamlessly with permaculture, a philosophy I discovered while supervising a construction site in southern Iraq. Witnessing the waste and pollution firsthand, I was inspired by a report on permaculture practices and decided to experiment in my own garden. Despite initial skepticism, the project flourished, confirming my belief in nature’s wisdom and the potential for regeneration.

Driven by the dream of reviving Iraq’s vast deserts and restoring the lush gardens of Mesopotamia, I embraced permaculture as my guiding philosophy. Simplicity, minimalism, and sustainable living are at the heart of my approach. Achieving self-sustainability is not just a goal; it’s a path to true freedom.

The journey is far from over, but with the dedication of a strong and passionate team, the dream of transforming Iraq’s deserts into vibrant, self-sustaining food forests feels within reach. I am immensely proud of the progress we have made together and look forward to the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.

Mustafa hails from a family with deep agricultural roots. In the early 20th century, his grandfather’s family managed around 1,000 hectares of land, cultivating the riverbanks of the Tigris with indigenous farming knowledge. Over time, Mustafa witnessed the land degradation and desertification caused by the so-called Green Revolution and the increased reliance on chemicals and synthetic inputs.

With a background in software engineering, Mustafa’s career spanned various sectors, from F&B to electronics, where he gained extensive experience in operations and sales. However, the deteriorating state of Iraq’s vibrant lands profoundly impacted his perspective on life and his approach to land stewardship.

Years of discussions with his lifelong best friend, the founder of The Food Forests, led them to experiment with sustainable farming methods. Discovering the magic of permaculture, their mini-forest experiment in a home garden was a resounding success, erasing all doubts and solidifying their belief in nature’s regenerative power.

Mustafa was the initiator and mastermind behind transforming this passion into a business. His unwavering conviction and relentless effort convinced his partner to take the leap. Together, they embarked on the ambitious mission of turning Iraq’s vast deserts into lush, green oases.

Drawing inspiration from his grandfather’s simple yet effective land stewardship methods, Mustafa believes in restoring life to the land and turning dirt into fertile soil. He sees this not only as a way to generate profit but also to reinvest the surplus into more land regeneration projects—a concept perfectly aligned with permaculture ethics.

Mustafa’s vision and leadership have been instrumental in the foundation and growth of The Food Forests. His dedication to reviving Iraq’s landscapes and his belief in sustainable practices continue to drive the company’s mission forward.