IRAQ: Mayor of Baghdede discusses plans for next agricultural season with local stakeholders

BAGHDEDE, Iraq — The mayor of Baghdede in Nineveh Plains, Essam Behnam Matti, met with a number of agricultural stakeholders, including the director of the Agriculture Department of Baghdede and the president of the Farmers’ Union, to discuss with them the plan for upcoming season and ways to avoid the problems and difficulties faced by farmers in previous years.

During the meeting, it was discussed how to organize farmers’ data, within the framework of the agricultural plan for next season, and about the most prominent difficulties faced by farmers during the past period. Ways to alleviate some of the difficulties facing farmers was also discussed.

The lack of rain over the last year have reduced Iraq’s wheat harvest by 33% compared to last year. Nineveh Plains has particularly suffered, losing roughly 90% of its grain crops.