FAO supports EU agricultural recovery in northern Iraq

by **claud39** Wed Jun 19, 2019 8:12 am

FAO supports EU agricultural recovery in northern Iraq

06/19/2019

Economy News Baghdad

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said that 10 thousand farming families in Nineveh province will benefit from the financial contribution received by the organization from the European Union.

The grant is € 15 million and aims to restore agricultural livelihoods.

Ninewa was known as the "bread basket" in the country before the conflict caused extensive damage and displacement.

The project is expected to directly benefit some 10,000 poor farming households (about 60,000 people), as well as benefits from local service providers and workers.

"As part of the European Union's commitment to Iraq as a whole, the support of the regions devastated by the recent war is a high priority," said the European Union's ambassador to Iraq, Ramón Blakwa, referring to the revival of agriculture in Nineveh, In the economy, this new project will help communities and returnees in rural areas increase their income and employment opportunities. "

"We are grateful to the European Union for this generous contribution that will help us in rehabilitating major agricultural facilities and equipment, and the operation of these services again will be of great help to farmers and the local business sector," said FAO Representative Mustafa Sainsour.

"Creating jobs in this region, which is the heart of agriculture and depends a lot of jobs on the rich soil of Nineveh province, is vital to the stability of society."

The impact of the conflict on the agricultural sector has been devastating, damaging water systems, irrigation facilities and other agricultural infrastructure, disrupting value chains, causing loss of personal property, crop and livestock production and food supplies.

Since the Iraqi government announced the defeat a year ago, many people have returned to the region, encouraged by efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment. However, some areas still lack basic services and employment opportunities for both returnees and those who have remained.

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