From Empowerment to Leadership New Opportunities for Rural Women and Farmers in Karbala

Under the patronage of H.E. Abdul Rahim Jassim Al-Shammari, Minister of Agriculture, and H.E. Eng. Nassif Jassim Al-Khattabi, Governor of  Karbala, and as part of its efforts to support agricultural production and strengthen the resilience of rural communities to climate-related challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today organized a ceremony in Karbala Governorate to support rural women and farmers with productive assets and agricultural inputs.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Mithaq Al-Khafaji, Technical Deputy Minister of Agriculture, representing H.E. the Minister of Agriculture; and Dr. Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, the Representative of the Governor of Karbala as well as the Director of Agriculture and the Director of the Veterinary Hospital in Karbala Governorate, government officials, agricultural experts, and beneficiaries of the project activities.

The initiative is implemented under the Norwegian-funded project “Integrating Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Empowering Farmers in Iraq” and the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded project “Enhancing Agricultural Livelihoods of Rural Communities Most Vulnerable to Climate Change”, both implemented by FAO in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant national and local authorities.

The ceremony included the provision of specialized equipment to strengthen the milk and dairy value chain for 300 rural women in Karbala Governorate, under the Norway-funded project .   This support aims to improve the quality of dairy products, reduce losses, and increase the added value of locally produced dairy products, thereby contributing to higher household incomes and the economic empowerment of rural women.

The event also included the distribution of agricultural fertilizers to support vegetable production through Farmer Field School (FFS) activities, under the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded project. A total of 140 beneficiaries received support, including 60 rural women participating in three women-led Farmer Field Schools and 80 farmers participating in four Farmer Field Schools. The intervention aims to enhance agricultural production, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and improve the efficient use of agricultural inputs and natural resources.

During the ceremony, Dr. Mithaq Al-Khafaji, Technical Deputy Minsiter of Agriculture, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with international partners to promote the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices and strengthen crop and livestock production. He noted that these efforts contribute to enhancing food security, improving the sustainable management of natural resources, and increasing farmers’ incomes.

For his part, Mr. Mohammed Al-Tayyar, representative of the Governor of Karbala, stressed that supporting the agricultural sector and empowering rural women remain key priorities for the local government. He noted that such initiatives contribute to improving livelihoods and strengthening the economic stability of rural households, while supporting efforts to achieve sustainable agricultural development across the governorate.

Dr. Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, said: “Together with the Ministry of Agriculture and our partners, we are investing in rural women and farmers as key drivers of sustainable agricultural development. By supporting dairy production and processing and strengthening Farmer Field Schools, we are helping rural communities improve productivity, increase incomes, and enhance their resilience to climate-related challenges. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to  the Government of Norway, and the Green Climate Fund for their valuable partnership and continued trust in FAO’s efforts to support rural communities and advance sustainable agricultural development in Iraq. This initiative represents a practical step towards building more efficient, sustainable, and resilient agrifood systems.”

These activities are part of FAO’s ongoing efforts to support the transformation towards more efficient, inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems. They contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Women’s Empowerment (SDG 5), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Sustainable Natural Resource Management (SDG 15). They also contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025–2029) for Iraq by supporting inclusive economic development, strengthening climate resilience, promoting sustainable food systems, and expanding opportunities for women and rural communities. These efforts further reflect FAO’s commitment to supporting and empowering women farmers and rural women, in line with the objectives of the International Year of Women Farmers 2026.

For more information, please contact:

Khawla Ben Aicha
Communications Expert, FAO Iraq , Email: Khawla.BenAicha@fao.org

Dr. Salah El Hajj Hassan

FAO Representative in Iraq, Email: Salah.ElHajjHassan@fao.org