Begard Talabani, the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, announced that the ministry’s new strategy focuses on marketing local produce. This is being achieved through the organization of the agricultural calendar and the export of surplus production to central and southern Iraq, as well as foreign countries.

Strategy for Marketing and Protecting Local Production

Begard Talabani, the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Kurdistan Region, stated that their primary focus is on marketing farmers’ produce through the establishment of an agricultural calendar and the imposition of tariffs on imported goods.

Additionally, the strategy involves exporting surplus domestic production abroad or to central and southern Iraq.

Agreements with the Federal Government

Speaking to Channel8, Begard Talabani noted that they have several agreements with Iraq. She highlighted a decision by the Iraqi Council of Ministers stipulating that produce from the Kurdistan Region must be treated as domestic production.

Obstacles Facing the Transportation of Produce

She added, “Decisions are often issued by other Iraqi ministries to block farmers’ produce at checkpoints, which has created issues.” She emphasized that this treatment is “discriminatory” and that farmers’ produce must be treated uniformly.

Plans to Export Produce to Gulf Countries

Talabani also noted that they are working to export local produce to the Gulf countries and have developed a comprehensive plan for this purpose. She said, “There is a demand for local produce from the Kurdistan Region, and currently potatoes, local rice, sumac, tahini, and fruits are being exported.”

She expressed hope that agreements would soon be reached with the Gulf countries to export tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and zucchini as well.

Growth in the Agricultural Industry Sector

The Minister of Agriculture announced that production volumes are increasing year by year. They have worked seriously on industrializing agricultural products and developing the food industry, raising the sector’s growth rate from 1.5% to 10% over the past few years.