Press Release

The Iraqi government in partnership with FAO in Iraq: A large campaign to support buffalo breeders in the south

01 August 2024

Baghdad, 1st of August 2024 - The Iraqi government, in response to the call made by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to the Iraqi government and national and international partners to support buffalo breeders suffering from the effects of climate change and water scarcity in southern Iraq, and based on the success of the activities carried out by the Organization in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and with funding from the European Union, issued a royal order to support and assist these breeders.

A significant milestone was reached as the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with FAO, launched, a major feed distribution campaign (Molasses and Bran) to support affected buffalo breeders who were considering few months ago migrating to other areas.

This first distribution campaign took place in Muthanna, marking a key step in the government’s initiative and will extend to several other southern governorates in the upcoming months, aiming to address the pressing needs of buffalo breeders in the region and to improve their livelihoods.

The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Abbas Jaber Al-Maliki, and attended by the Technical Deputy of the Ministry, Dr. Mithaq Al Khafaji, Muthan Governor Mr. Muhannad Al-Attabi, and other local government officials, FAO Iraq representative, Dr Salah El Hajj Hassan and large number of livestock farmers of the region.

“The support we are providing today exemplifies the strength of our collaboration and the positive impact of our joint efforts to assist the agricultural community in southern Iraq,” said Dr. Abbas Jaber Al-Maliki, Minister of Agriculture. “We are dedicated to continuing our partnership with FAO and other stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of buffalo breeders facing climate challenges.”

Dr. Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Iraq Representative, added: “Today’s event reflects the strong collaboration and the positive impact of our collective efforts to support the agricultural community in southern Iraq. We thank, acknowledge and commend the Iraqi government’s proactive efforts in supporting buffalo breeders while we also highly acknowledge EU support as well. FAO Iraq remains committed to providing unwavering support to the Iraqi government and breeders through our expertise and resources, ensuring sustainable solutions for their challenges.”

Prior to this event, FAO Iraq’s team, in collaboration with agricultural extension services, conducted extensive trainings for Ministry of Agriculture extension officers on the effective use of the good practices of using the feed.

This initiative not only addresses urgent needs but also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land). By supporting sustainable agricultural practices and improving livelihoods, the initiative helps foster resilience and food security in the region.

Khawla Ben Aicha

FAO

Communications Specialist

khawla.benaicha@fao.org

Salah Elhajjhassan

FAO

Representative

salah.elhajjhassan@fao.org

Mr Hajj Hassan, a national of Lebanon, holds a Ph.D. in Plant Production from the University of Agriculture, Damascus, Syria; a Master of Science degree in Plant Production and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering, both from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
He started his career in 1984, as Senior Research Assistant in the Agricultural Research and Education Centre (AREC), American University of Beirut. From 1987 to 1991, he was Coordinator of the Student Training Programme, and also Agriculture and Horticultural Teacher for the Faculty of Agriculture, at the Lebanese University.
From 1991 to 1995, he worked as Agricultural Engineer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Bekaa Regional Office, Zahlah and was then assigned to the Agricultural Research Institute in the Tal Amara station, first as Head of the Crop Production Department and subsequently in charge of the Plant Protection Laboratory. From 2002 to 2006, he was Director of the Kfardane Research Station (Agricultural Research Institute). In 2008, he became Visiting Scientist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and Coordinator of a project with the International Centre for Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.
In 2010, he served as Advisor to the Minister for Agriculture of Lebanon. In 2011, he became President of the Pesticide Scientific Committee, Head of the Phytoplasma Committee and Director of the Agriculture and Rural Development Programme (ARDP) (EU-funded project). From 2010 to 2013, he represented Lebanon in negotiations with EU, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. During his career, Mr Hajj Hassan also carried out a number of other functions. He represented the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) in several research programmes with the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the American University of Beirut. He was Coordinator of the Mashreq/Maghreb project with ICARDA, representing Lebanon in the Steering Committee, as well as being the Head of the Sugar-beet Delivery and of the Wheat Delivery Committees. For a number of years, Mr Hajj Hassan worked for the preparation of FAO TCP projects and served as the National Director of a TCP project. He joined FAO in January 2014 as FAO Representative in Yemen. Mr Hajj Hassan succeeds Mr El Zubi as FAO Representative in Iraq.

UN entities involved in this initiative

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Goals we are supporting through this initiative