HILLA, BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq, May 28, 2004 — Tribal leaders, farmers, and agricultural leaders from the South Central Region of Iraq attended an agricultural conference in Hilla, according to Coalition Provisional Authority officials. The group included farmers' union representatives from five provinces - Babil, Najaf, Karbala, Wasit, and Qadisiyah.

The farmers' unions, the U.S. Army's 425th Civil Affairs Battalion, and the Coalition Provisional Authority organized the conference, so that Iraqi agricultural leaders could meet with the civil affairs teams. The farmers' unions provide an opportunity for farmers and tribal leaders to gather together, to learn about modern farming techniques, and to promote democratic principles.

During the conference, attendees divided into working groups from each of the five provinces. The tribal leaders, farmers, and agricultural leaders then met with the civil affairs team assigned to their province to identify agricultural issues and develop long-term plans for their areas. Each group discussed six topics:

• Status of current crops and the harvest schedule
• Priority of work and resources needed to maximize the harvest
• Irrigation problems and potential solutions
• Challenges to harvest storage and transportation to market
• Priority of work for the next planting season and the resources that will be needed
• Priority for agricultural resource, training and/or research centers
  

The farmers' unions and civil affairs teams generated a list of specific needs for each province. If approved for funding by the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion, farmers' union representatives and civil affairs teams will implement the projects.

The agricultural conference and farmers' unions show further examples of Iraqis determined to improve their communities as they move toward a sovereign country. The 425th Civil Affairs Battalion (attached to the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division) will continue to support the Iraqi people as they become a self-governing, democratic nation.