Baghdad, 26 July 2022 (TDI): The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is providing the Iraqi farmers with 300 greenhouses and training on cultivation practices for safe harvest.
Conflict as well as the impacts of climate change such as drought have harmed fertile farmlands in the country.
🍅🥒Tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes: farmers in Iraq receive over 300 greenhouses & trainings on cultivation practices.
Fertile farmland has been damaged by conflict and drought. Our goal: a safe harvest despite climate change: https://t.co/G3OPPmUJzr@NRC_Norway pic.twitter.com/eugCay2iUR— GIZ (@giz_gmbh) July 25, 2022
Challenges to Iraq’s Agriculture Sectors
US soldiers invaded Iraq in March 2003 on the pretext of destroying the country’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and overthrowing Saddam Hussein’s dictatorial authority.
The WMD information was found to be wrong and subsequently, a violent insurgency emerged. Democratic elections were conducted, and Saddam was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually hanged.
Over 4,700 members of the armed forces of the United States died since then, while over 100,000 Iraqi civilians have also been killed.
Anbar province of Iraq is still suffering from the consequences of the conflicts. Large portions of the population were displaced.
Furthermore, the infrastructure for agriculture was destroyed due to the control of the terrorist group IS and the international coalition’s struggle against the terrorist group.
Climate change is a global problem that has resulted in low rainfall and rising temperatures in Iraq. This worsens the country’s current drought conditions.
Anbar was formerly known as the “breadbasket” of Iraq due to its rich soil and abundant water supply from the Euphrates River and nearby wetlands.
Unfortunately, the farmers are now unable to compete with imported commodities because of the damaged infrastructure and outdated farming practices.
GIZ’s initiatives to rebuild Agriculture Sector of Iraq
GIZ with the Ministry of Planning of Iraq launched projects to rebuild the local economic cycle and develop a resilient economy in Iraq.
The project focuses on smallholder farmers. Almost 300 greenhouses have been given to up to 600 people, along with training on how to operate them.
To make agriculture and business courses as useful as possible, training sessions on contemporary agricultural techniques are also being created in collaboration with the University of Anbar.
Additionally, there are plans to open a new learning center. Warehouses and selling areas are reconstructed to promote the local market for agricultural products.
This boosts the whole value chain for agricultural goods and increases the sustainability of economic operations and initiatives to establish peace in Iraq, aimed at improving and sustaining means of survival and economic activities.
Student of BS International Relations in Kinnaird College for Women. Currently, working in 'TDI' as a contributor.
