An international expert: Agriculture contributes only 3% of the Iraqi GDP

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[size=52]An international expert: Agriculture contributes only 3% of the Iraqi GDP[/size]

[size=45]Translated by: Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]An international expert stated that agriculture in Iraq contributes 3% of the gross product, calling for the revival of this vital sector, and talked about the existence of the latent ability to restore the country's position as a food basket in the Middle East and achieve self-sufficiency.[/size]
[size=45]The consultant at the World Trade Center, the international expert, Jerome Radger, spoke in a report published on the (Arak Business News) news website, translated by (Al-Mada), about “the need to build sustainable, fair markets in Iraq for the sale of agricultural products, through which the agricultural sector is strengthened and the ease of access to products is improved.” through retail marketing.[/size]
[size=45]Radgir said, "Despite the cultural heritage with which Iraq has been known for centuries as an agricultural country with abundant sunshine, fertile land and abundant water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the country's agricultural sector has suffered during the past decades a decline in production."[/size]
[size=45]Radgir attributed this to “wars, large waves of displacement, and the recent war against the terrorist organization ISIS, which resulted in the non-investment of agricultural lands, lack of production, and insufficient production to cover the local need.”[/size]
[size=45]The report indicated that “the contribution of this sector to the gross domestic product of Iraq does not exceed 3%, although the agricultural sector employs approximately 20% of the country’s population.”[/size]
[size=45]The report took into account, "the current international tensions and climate change, the management of the food supply chain has become a matter of concern."[/size]
[size=45]And he went on to say that “the revival of the agricultural sector is an imperative for Iraq in order for it to regain its food sufficiency.”[/size]
[size=45]"The task before us is large in size and requires the implementation of actions at several levels of this value chain, which require comprehensive coordination to ensure its sustainability," Radger asserts.[/size]
[size=45]Radgir pointed out, "There is a major challenge facing the agricultural sector represented by the lack of sustainable investment, due to the lack of conditions conducive to this since the eighties of the last century."[/size]
[size=45]Radger finds that this is because "there are a few farmers with limited financial resources who are unable to invest and small-scale retailers who are unable to organize themselves into a chain of marketing warehouse groups."[/size]
[size=45]"These two vital factors of the economy from the food distribution chain are not able to establish direct commercial relations with each other," Radger said. And the report stated, "The intermediaries in the food distribution chain have a strong grip on farmers, leaving them in a permanent position of economic survival by buying their products at very low prices and maintaining their dependence on small credits to finance their purchase of raw materials."[/size]
[size=45]The report added, "The middlemen, despite the farmers' efforts, obtain most of the value without redistributing it, which results in the farmers not receiving the benefits they deserve in terms of quantity and quality."[/size]
[size=45]The report spoke of "a significant divergence between marketing expectations and existing fit-out requirements from the buyer's point of view."[/size]
[size=45]At the same time, the report continues, "retailers are buying from middlemen in the wholesale place."[/size]
[size=45]The report stressed that “prices always vary depending on the season and between abundance and scarcity, but above all, the agreement between brokers determines market prices.” The report stated, "Farmers, because of the low price obtained from the sale of their products, lack the incentive to improve their production in quantity and quality."[/size]
[size=45]The report stressed, "This absence of economic stimulus leaves farmers without effort to bring about transitional change in their production methods." And Radger recommends, “Efforts should be made to develop agricultural products of Iraqi origin by developing a trademark that highlights the quality of the local product.” Radger stated, “This campaign, through cooperation with retailers, aims to create a new demand for such products, which ensures ease of consumer identification of the local product and its quality, as well as ensuring that the product is well stored in refrigerators that maintain its quality so that it is always fresh.”[/size]
[size=45]Radgeer called for “establishing a permanent food retail system in cooperation between a circle of producers; In order to push for comprehensive economic growth in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]Radgir said, "This requires investments in key areas such as infrastructure, technology, education and training programs, as well as support for small or medium-sized commercial projects to contribute to supporting sustainable agricultural practices."[/size]
[size=45]The report said, "Iraq has the potential to restore its position as a food basket in the Middle East and achieve food self-sufficiency as soon as possible."[/size]
[size=45]And the report went on, “This is done by giving priority to restoring confidence among the influential economic parties, increasing confidence in local production, and enhancing creativity in the agricultural sector.”[/size]
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