September 7, 2010

Iraq works at self-sufficiency in wheat

Iraq produced enough wheat this year to fulfil about 50% of domestic needs and projects are currently being implemented with a view to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat within five years, according to Iraqi officials.

The projects focus on high-tech irrigation methods and support for farmers, especially low-interest loans, free guidance, and subsidised prices, said Deputy Agriculture Minister Mahdi al-Qaisi. To reach this target, the ministry plans to raise the area for wheat cultivation to 750,000 hectares.

Qaisi said that according to Ministry of Trade statistics, Iraq consumes 3-3.5 million tonnes of wheat per annum.

Muthanna Jabbar, who is acting director of the state-owned grain trading company, said that in view of the incentives offered to wheat growers, next year's harvest is expected to be about 2.5 million tonnes.

Jabbar said Iraq will not be adversely affected by Russia's restrictions on grain exports as it imports its wheat from the US, Canada, and Australia, in contrast to countries like Egypt, Iran, and Gulf states that rely on Russian wheat.

Jabbar said Iraqis prefer US and Australian wheat because it is easier to bake into the flat bread that is a common staple in the Middle East.