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Concept Paper Restore Agriculture Production to Improve Food Security, Create Jobs and Reduce Poverty in Iraq Layth Mahdi, PhD AECOM/3BCT 1CD, Tallil [email protected] Obstacles to Agricultural Development No clear agricultural policy Lack of guidance from key government leaders Difficult to obtain financial support • Lacks • • • • - farm inputs - local and international agricultural suppliers - modern machinery Private sector are not functional & Ag co-ops are non existent Poor rural infrastructure Low soil fertility due to high soil salinity Inappropriate irrigation and drainage system 2 Objective To restore agricultural production in Iraq and to promote food security and economic growth 3 PM Nouri Al Maliki Iraqi funded Funds for Restoring Agricultural Production & Infrastructure Working Group • Agricultural NGO • Friendship Training Center The PM to provide funds to restore agricultural production To achieve this program the Prime Minster initiates Establishes a fund for the reconstruction of agriculture and infrastructure Forms a working group for expert managers and leaders This is accomplished by: • Developing a national agricultural policy • Strengthening the foundation of economic growth • Developing agri-business • Enhancing the capacity of agricultural extension officers • Researching collaborative options with regional and international organizations 6 Iraqi Fund to Improve Economic Development Example of Startup Initiative PC Chairs, Governors and US Govt Representatives at the Working Group & National Level Restore & Increase Agricultural Production Project Objectives Create Employment Develop Infrastructure Alleviate Poverty Working Group lobbyist Reduce Violence Prime Minister Follow-up Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Water & Resources Ministry of Trade $ Billions 7 This is a concept note diagram of restoring agriculture production and creates employment. Iraqi leaders together with US Officials can create this Working Group. Working Group requires a high level official, such as a US General, to initiate the program. Iraqi highly respects the US military, so a US General would fit best for this situation. A US General will need the guidance of an agriculture expert as well. Example of Restoring Agricultural Production at the Provincial Level Provincial Council PC Ag Committee Supplemental money Governor DG of Ag / MoA Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Water & Resources Ministry of Trade DG of WR / MoWR DG of T / MoT Financial assistance 10 year program Provincial Money Total cropping area 1000 ha Contracts with farmers in each province Wheat Barley Rice Wheat, Barley, Rice & Corn Over 50k farmers x 2 (5 average family #) Corn Potato Vegetable Create 100,000 job opportunity 9 • Forge solid communication between provincial gov’t & central gov’t GoI’s support • Seeds • Fertilizers • Pesticides • Fuel • Training • Destribution Jobs Opportunities 40000 Potato Potato Corn Corn 30000 Number of farmers per province Wheat & Barley 20000 Vegetable 10000 N D J F M A M J Planting Date J A S O N D 10 The ten year program aims to provide contracts as a financial assistance to farmers. This assistance will be reduced gradually during the period of the proposed program. The assistance includes seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, fuel, training and market distribution. This program assists farmers returning to cultivate their crops with modern technology, bringing the increase of agricultural production and improves household incomes. Past Agricultural Subsidy Program Businessman Farm inputs Farmer MoA Market Businessman In the past, the Iraqi Govt provided subsidies and controlled agriculture production (wheat, rice, sugar cane, agrochemical, poultry, animal feed, etc). The farmers provided farm inputs through businessmen or directly with Directorate of Ag. The farmer’s lack of business experience causes an overall breakdown of the subsidy cycle. 12 Proposition New model of Agr Production in Iraq Private Sector Businessman Ag co-ops Farmer MONSANTO GOI Businessman Market Private Sector Gov and International companies create international investments building partnership as enterprise venture. In time, businessmen turn to the private sector and farmers collectively build themselves 13 into agricultural co-ops. The Iraqi government must adopt a strategic plan that targets agricultural development over the next five years (2016) 14 The Expected Results from this Program • Allow farmers to earn extra money for their crops due to guaranteed pricing and ensure survival • Improve the private sector in agribusiness Iraq-wide • Create more than 500,000 jobs across Iraq • Provide food security, create employment and reduce violence in the country 15