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New - COMMENT ON IRAQ AGRICULTURE
Presented to the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology
5 October 2004 Download document (PDF 80kb)

Press release

23 June 2003

Experts discuss Aust's agricultural prospects in Iraq

Capacity building support and technical support have been identified as key areas that Australia could offer Iraq's struggling farm sector according to agricultural scientists, development experts, consultants and industry.

The key areas were identified during a nation-wide 16-20 June workshop.

The workshop was the first of its type convened in Australia since the war in Iraq and included staff from the Queensland and Victorian Department of Primary Industries, NSW Agriculture, Agriculture WA, CSIRO, University of New England, private consultancies and private seed companies.

Workshop convenor, Mr Philip Eliason, said findings from the workshop would be useful for Ausaid and other Commonwealth agencies on work they have underway on applying Ausaid's $40 million budget for Iraq farm support.

"The workshop addressed areas of best prospect for aid and commercial activity in Iraq's dryland farming sector" he said.

"Iraq has experienced over 10 years of isolation from foreign, professional contact and exposure to new land management and crop research issues."

Mr Eliason, who has Middle East experience and was Deputy Director of the National Farmers' Federation, said two core approaches to Iraq were identified.

"Capacity building support for farmers, their communities and advisory/extension services were clearly important issues that would need to be implemented for the longer-term and second, there is the provision of technical support for the Iraqi government and scientific institutions, which would provide information and advice to the farm sector."

Mr Eliason said the four key development priorities to emerge were:

Developing robust and informed farm communities. Improved local level use of information obtained through Australia's skills in geographic information systems, land capability and climate mapping would assist farmers adjust land management to better meet local conditions. Participative learning and facilitation of communications between government professionals and the public were steps towards expanding farmer skills. This is a medium term task
Mentoring Iraq's professional agricultural researchers and farm advisors. Mentoring activity can operate over the long term and form vital professional and other linkages in the Iraq agricultural sector. Skilled Iraqi professionals operating within an open agricultural administration will, with a mix of extension, local industry and NGO operations have benefits for farming techniques, local skill levels and farm output
Australian/international advances in drought tolerance. Australia's work on drought tolerance at crop and agronomic systems levels can have a role in further shaping Iraq's future seed stock and supply. Our skills in targeted seasonal climate forecasting can improve Iraq's farm preparedness and can lead to better social, economic and environmental outcomes.
Dryland crop protection. Priorities are impact of pests on production, risks in overuse of farm chemicals, lack of farmer awareness about market impact of chemicals and our opportunity to link into FAO activity in Iraq. Crop protection through improved in-bred resistance to pests is a potential area for our activity and one which can usefully engage seed producers. Seed storage issues relate to this in terms of overall food security and require additional information services to Iraqi storage managers.

END
Read an article on Iraq "Help Iraq help us" (434kb pdf doc)