June 5, 2006

 

New seed varieties helps rebuild wheat production in Iraq

 

 

Ravaged by war, Iraq is now taking steps to improve domestic wheat production, with the help of USAID and the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).

 

More than 85 percent of wheat consumed in Iraq is imported, causing a strain on its Public Distribution System. Although Iraqi soil can produce over 2 tonnes of wheat a hectare, the current average is only 800 kilogrammes a hectare.

 

Quick-impact programmes by USAID have delivered thousands of tonnes of wheat seed to Iraqi farmers, stimulating increased production while market reforms have helped Iraqi farmers and encouraged investment.

 

New varieties of wheat are being introduced, higher caliber seed is being planted, and new cultivation methods are deployed. Efforts on select Iraqi farms have also doubled wheat production.

 

In addition, USAID's National Wheat Programme is helping in pesticide management, training farmers in the use of fertilisers, and restoring machinery. Future projects would improve production methods and draw in farmers willing to participate in these programmes.

 

Under the Agriculture Reconstruction and Development Program for Iraq (ARDI), 4,000 tonnes of high quality, certified Cham-6 wheat seed were delivered to MOA during Iraq's 2004-05 growing season. This new seed provided the national seed stock with increased variety and higher quality of wheat. The newer seeds are expected to increase wheat yields over the next few harvests.

 

The wheat seed, often used in USAID's programs, has proven successful in Iraq.

 

The MOA has also taken steps to reform wheat pricing to encourage investment.

 

Prices of wheat have now improved, giving farmers incentive to expand production.

 

In late 2004, the price of Grade 1 wheat was set at US$200/tonne, double the price two years ago. As of June 2006, the price of Grade 1 wheat has reached US$300/tonne.