Agriculture
USAID’s goals are to work in conjunction with Iraqi ministries, the private sector,
and higher education institutions to revitalize agricultural production,
stimulate income and employment generation, nurture rural initiatives, and rehabilitate
the natural resource base.
Highlights this week:
Beehives damaged by disease in northern Iraq; a new
USAID supported program will help restore beekeeping
in areas that have been constrained by diseases |
- On September 22, 2004, a
grant agreement was signed to
fund a new project to improve
beekeeping in As Sulaymaniyah
Governorate. Eighty-eight
participating farmers and beekeepers
were briefed in their
respective villages in preparation
for their attendance at a
six-day training course, which
began September 25. The
course focused on improved
beekeeping skills that will help
participants provide increased
income for themselves and their
families.
- More than 150 farmers attended six field days of demonstrations on new
practices and technologies for improving the growth of swiss chard. Swiss
chard is a dark green leafy vegetable related to the beet that is popular in
Iraq. Of notable importance was the participation of women in this ongoing
series of field days, one of which consisted primarily of women. These demonstrations
are part of the Winter Vegetable Crop Demonstrations being supported
by the MOA and USAID’s Agriculture Reconstruction and Development
Program for Iraq (ARDI).
- ARDI has awarded two new grants to support agricultural development in
northern Iraq. In an effort to improve livestock breeding in Iraq, ARDI has
awarded a grant to a state-owned veterinary clinic in As Sulaymaniyah to
install four sheep dipping tanks in four local villages. Cleaning sheep using
dip tanks may increase wool value by up to 50%, and thereby improving the
standard of living for nearly 500 local shepherds and their families in the
area who have more than 30,000 sheep. In an effort to support improved
production of high value crops, ARDI has awarded a grant to a nongovernmental
organization in As Sulaymaniyah Governorate to rehabilitate
an orchard station.
Major Accomplishments to Date:
- Summer and Winter Crop
Technology Demonstrations:
These demonstrations are
introducing farmers to new
technologies and techniques
through extension field days.
- Animal Health: Several
veterinary clinics in Kirkuk,
Fallujah, and other cities are
being renovated and a grant
has been made for dipping
tanks to improve sheep
health and wool.
- Technology Support: The
Ministry of Agriculture and a
major university’s schools of
Agriculture and Veterinary
Science have been awarded
grants to furnish and equip
computer centers, improving
research capabilities and
consulting capacity.
- Date Palm Propagation:
In collaboration with the
Ministry of Agriculture,
40,000 elite date palm offshoots
are being used to
establish mother orchards in
13 governorates as part of a
multiplication program and
the establishment of a national
register of elite varieties.
- Agriculture Sector Transition
Plan: This plan, completed
in mid-April, addresses
the short-term recovery
of agricultural infrastructure
as well as medium
and long-term implementation
of policies to develop a
market-based agricultural
economy.
More Information:
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