Published: March 31, 2006
Local Government Works To Improve Agriculture in Diyala Province
By Spc. Lee Elder, 133rd MPAD
BAQUBAH, Iraq - A three-member panel consisting of agriculture, banking and water control experts fields questions from local Iraqi growers and farmers.
Photo by Spc. Lee Elder, 133rd MPAD |
BAQUBAH, Iraq - Local farmers got an update from government agricultural officials today while airing their concerns about this most vital part of the Diyala Province's economy.
The meeting was held at the Provincial Joint Communication Center in downtown Baqubah. Farmers and growers were invited to the meeting as a three-member panel discussed key topics such as farm loans, irrigation improvement, and pest control.
Diyala's governor, Raad Rashed, also was in attendance along with his deputy, Auf Rahomi. Both urged farmers to work with local government officials and with each other to help boost production thereby stimulating Diyala's economy.
"We must work together to solve the problems facing agriculture in Diyala Province," Rashed said. "We have many very important crops here."
More than three-quarters of those living in the province make their living, either directly or indirectly, from agriculture said Ali Al-Baedi, who serves as the media representative for the provincial agriculture office. Many of these farmers and growers are facing serious challenges to maintain or bolster agricultural production.
Currently, there are 19 agricultural extension offices throughout the province. Dr. Abbas Fader, who serves as provincial director of agriculture, said that another office would soon be open in Alabaya'a.
Fader also addressed a hot topic among local farmers and growers, the damage being done to crops by insects. Due to the area's security problems, the crops and orchards here have not been dusted since 2003. Thus, insects - known as "dubas" in the local tongue - are inflicting major damage to local crops.
BAQUBAH, Iraq - Dr. Abbas Fader, director of agriculture for Diyala Province, briefs area farmers and growers on issues of concern during a forum held at the Provincial Joint Communication Center.
Photo by Spc. Lee Elder, 133rd MPAD |
"I promise to protect you from insects," Fader said.
Coalition forces will help repair helicopters, which can dust the crops. He said renovations also would need to be made to the local airport to speed this process along.
Fader said millions of Dinar would be made available to farmers in agricultural loans. His office was working to streamline the process, making it a provincial matter as opposed to having the paperwork requiring approval from national officials. These delays in the past have often led to farmers not getting their money when it is needed during the planting season.
"There have been too many delays," Fader said. "Loans are too hard to get."
Fader also promised consideration for "broader uses" of agricultural loans, which would include building or improving wells, greenhouse construction and fish farm stocking. He cautioned farmers not to use the loans for non-agricultural expenditures.
Several farmers complained that the local and national governments were not sympathetic to the plight of farmers and growers. Because of its importance to the local economy, the government should take a more interested and active role to aid farmers.
Issues of concern included helping small farmers learn to better utilize and afford machinery and technology. This knowledge could help farmers become more productive and make their operations more profitable.
Another key issue was irrigation and water usage. Many of the area's irrigation canals are old and are polluted. Most are in need of updates and to be cleaned regularly.
Plus, no agency is regulating water usage. This leads to unequal distribution of this invaluable resource.
Rahomi, whose works as an agricultural engineer, pointed out the impact of water shortages. He illustrated water usage problems by producing figures saying that Iraq once had 30 million date trees, but now only as 10-12 million.
Besides having fewer trees, the remaining trees are netting lower yields. This further subtracts from the annual yields of this key crop.
Sgt. Rob Ness, a civil affairs sergeant with Company C, 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, played a supporting role in organizing the meeting. He said many growers' profits come from sales of dates and oranges. A diminished harvest hits the local economy hard.
"Diyala Province is like the Florida of Iraq," Ness said.
While there were many differences between farmers and government officials, it was agreed that the parties should meet regularly. This was only the second summit of its type. More meetings are planned to discuss agricultural concerns and other issues like health, water and sewage, electricity and water.
While U.S. forces were on hand, they served merely as observers. Most of the planning for the event was handled Iraqi agencies, said Lt. Col. Leonard Wells, who commands 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
"It was very professionally done," Wells said. "Ninety percent of the work for this conference was done by the directory itself."
In addition to agenda, the agency also provided participants with a handout featuring full-color slides. Data on crop production also was distributed.
"They are exhibiting basic democracy at its best," Wells said. "They provided an update to the citizens of Diyala for their knowledge, and they also had a question-and-answer session.
"Just like with any democracy, you're going to have some folks who are happy and others who are not."
Anthony D Buchanan
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