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U.S. Working in Iraq—Agricultural Projects 

 Latest news about the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Iraq (U.S. Embassy–Baghdad Web site)

Recent stories about agricultural projects in Iraq:
 — Iraqi children pledge "Head, heart, hands and health" (August 2010)
— Iraqi Women Take Advantage of Beekeeping Business Opportunities (June 2010)
— USDA at Work for Agriculture in Iraq, Recent Progress: November 2009
 — Grand Opening of Iraqi Farmer Cooperative Marks Progress Toward Sustainability (November 2009)
— ‘Farmer Fred’ Brings Iraqis Hope (October 2009)
 — Sowing the Seeds of Hope in Iraq (October 2009)
 — In the Midst of Obstacles, Iraqis Stay Hopeful for Their Future (September 2009)
— Iraqi Women Completing U.S.-Sponsored Poultry Training Receive 10 Hens, a Rooster, and 110 Pounds of Fodder as Graduation Gifts (September 2009)
 — Farmers' Market Brings Hope (July 2009)
 — USDA Provincial Reconstruction Team Members Contribute To Rebirth of Iraq’s Poultry Sector (.pdf; June 2009)
 — PRT Team at Work in Mahmudiyah, Iraq (.pdf; June 2009)
— PRT Furthers Strong Engagement with Iraqi Farmers (U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; 10/23/08)
— PRT Hosts Veterinary Program in Kirkuk (U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; 10/23/08)
— Iraqi Agriculture Officials Visit U.S. Farms (U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; 10/07/08)
— Iraqi Farmers Begin to Chart Own Destinies (.pdf; 08/19/08)
— Iraq Agriculture and Irrigation Overview (July 2008; .pdf)
 — Chicken Farming Gets Boost in Iraqi Town (American Forces Press Service; 05/08/08)
 — PRT Success in Iraq Is Not Just a Big Fish Tale (05/07/08)
 — Water and Soil Quality Are High Priority for PRTs in Iraq (05/01/08)
 — Iraqi Farmers Invest in Nation’s Future With PRT Help (04/18/08)
 — PRTs Mark Earth Day in Iraq With Palm Tree Donation (04/13/08)
 

Archived information about agriculture in Iraq


Agricultural Projects

Iraqi Women Completing U.S.-Sponsored Poultry Training Receive 10 Hens, a Rooster, and 110 Pounds of Fodder as Graduation Gifts
A woman graduate is pleased to be taking her chickens home. (USDA Photo)

David Greaser, a USDA Farm Service Agency county executive director for Huntingdon/Blair Counties in Huntingdon, Penn., is on a one-year voluntary assignment to the Baghdad-northeast embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Istiqlaal Qada, Iraq, located 20 miles north of Baghdad along the Tigris River.

To help rebuild Iraq's agricultural sector, Mr. Greaser is working on a variety of projects, of which two are small poultry flock management and beekeeping training for Iraqi women, many of whom are widows and are members of local farm organizations. Recently, a group of 75 women from the Rafedain Foundation/al-Rashdiyah Branch completed 20 hours of poultry training.

After completing the course, these women received 10 hens, one rooster, and 110 pounds of fodder to start their own small poultry farm. A local veterinarian who taught the course will make follow-up visits to each woman’s home. One week per month the women will allow the eggs to hatch to ensure a future supply of hens for egg laying.

This training is making a difference in the lives of the women, their families, and their neighbors as evidenced by demand for future training. The branch manager of the Rafedain Foundation told Mr. Greaser he could not go to his office for two days because of the number of women stopping by to get into future classes. So far, three poultry sessions have been held with a total of 200 women being trained. Funding for this project was obtained from the U.S. Embassy’s Quick Response Fund.

Farmers' Market Brings Hope

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July 2009

U.S. Brig. General Lang, Sheikh Khodaer Abdlhosaen, director of the Central Euphrates Farmers’ Market, and Deputy Governor of Babil Province Iskander. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Darryl L. Montgomery

Mahawil, Iraq -- On June 12, 2009, the Central Euphrates Farmers’ Market (CEFM) opened the gates of opportunity to farmers from the North Babil Province. The $2.8- million farmers’ market financed by U.S. Commanders’ Emergency Response Program (CERP) funds and U.S. coalition forces will benefit more than 10,000 producers in the region. The market has a large depot with 20 indoor stalls, 20 outdoor stalls, a cold storage room, a cafeteria, and a separate building with offices and a conference room.

The keynote speaker for the grand opening of the market was U.S. Brigadier General Jerry Lang, Deputy Commanding General for the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. The Brig. General said, "We hope this model of cooperation demonstrated here today will help us bring more farmers’ markets to the rest of Southern Iraq."

Rodrigo Brenes, USDA/FAS Agriculture Advisor for the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Babil and advisor to CEFM, explained, "This market is centrally located on Highway 1 and connects Basra with Baghdad and Mosul, making it a main hub for wholesalers and providing the opportunity for significant growth of a vibrant corridor for fresh fruits and vegetables for Iraqi consumers."

Since 2003, USDA has deployed 35 advisors to Iraq as part of the PRT effort. In a region known to the world as "Babylon, the Cradle of Agriculture," USDA, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development continue to work jointly with Iraqis to build a brighter future for the country.

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