FAO-EU partnership Highlights Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiatives During EU Ambassador's Visit

The project, implemented in collaboration with the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture and local partners focuses on empowering tomato and date farmers as well as buffalo breeders, securing rural livelihoods in a water scarce environment.

The field visit included two sites in the Mesopotamian Marshes that showed the introduction of nutritious animal fodder crops, able to cope with saline soils and water and dairy processing and marketing by women groups.

• Ryegrass have been introduced as a more resilient fodder crop that is able to cope with saline soils and water, coupled with drip irrigation systems and harvesting machines. The improved feed enhances animal health and increases yields and quality of milk as well as household income.
• 20 women groups profited from new batch of 20 new fully equipped caravans fostering their active participation in the dairy sector as entrepreneurs by ensuring the processing and marketing of high-quality dairy products.
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With EU support and MoA collaboration, FAO enhances farmers' capacity, fostering climate resilience. Encouraging crop diversification for improved soil management and increased productivity, which contribute increasing income through value chain development and market linkages.

EU Ambassador H.E Thomas Seiler commented: "The visit has underlined the critical importance of initiatives to help farmers adapt to a changing, deteriorating natural environment. The European Union values its partnership with FAO, and together we are actively addressing climate change challenges. Our joint efforts aim to create climate resilient solutions for communities in southern Iraq."



FAO Iraq Representative, Dr. Salah El Hajj Hassan, underscored FAO’s commitment to a holistic approach in developing major value chains: “By integrating smart agricultural practices, we aim to ensure better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and ultimately, a better life for communities. FAO takes pride in working hand in hand with the European Union, leaving no one behind, as we jointly strive to create enduring positive change in southern Iraq."  "Our holistic approach in developing the dairy and plant value chains, coupled with the introduction of smart agricultural practices, is our commitment to building lasting resilience and sustainability. FAO is proud to be working with the European Union to create lasting positive change in southern Iraq."

Rene Verduijn, FAO Senior Resilience Specialist, added:  "Our support stems from a holistic value chains approach where we deal with the gaps and challenges identified in selected commodities ¨from farm to fork.¨ FAO works together with other UN agencies, the Government, private sector and civil society to improve these value chains and see real impact under the banner of an EU-funded ¨Agri-Food Business Development Programme.¨

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the European Union remain steadfast in their joint commitment to combat the profound effects of climate change in Southern Iraq. Through the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices and the continuous support of local communities, FAO and the EU are dedicated to building resilience to overcome challenges and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the region.