FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture Support Date Palm Farmers

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Iraq, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Directorate of Agriculture in Najaf Governorate, organized a training and distribution ceremony of modern agricultural equipment to develop date palm value chain in the governorate.

This initiative comes as part of FAO’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in Iraq, aiming to increase agricultural productivity and improve the quality of dates. The activity is implemented under the project “Enhanced Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Households in Southern Iraq,” implemented in partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Environment, as well as local governments in the targeted governorates. The objective focuses on enhancing date palm productivity, supporting farmers with modern technologies, strengthening pest management, reducing labor and production costs, and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices.

The event was attended by FAO Representative in Iraq, along with the Director of Agriculture in Najaf Governorate, and large number of famers.  A practical demonstration was conducted during the event, providing detailed guidance on the optimal use and maintenance of the distributed equipment.

In his remarks, Dr. Salah ElHajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, stated:
“We aim to empower farmers by equipping them with the necessary tools and technologies to enhance date palm productivity and improve the quality of dates, achieving sustainable economic and social benefits for agricultural households and contributing to the development of this strategic and historic agricultural product.”

These efforts reflect FAO’s commitment in Iraq to supporting food security and promoting sustainable agriculture by providing farmers with tools and technologies that increase productivity and reduce losses caused by pests and climate challenges, while generating positive economic impact at the local farm level.

This initiative is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Iraq, particularly under the strategic priority on Environment and Climate Change Resilience. 

For more information, please contact: 

Reem AlSadoon, FAO Iraq-Communications Unit 
Email: Reem.alsadoon@fao.org