From Producers to Consumers: The Challenges and Opportunities of Agricultural Development in Iraqi Kurdistan

By Lina Eklund , Abdulhakim Abdi and Mine Islar

Abstract:

Agriculture and rural life in the Middle East have gone through several changes in the past few decades. The region is characterized by high population growth, urbanization, and water scarcity, which poses a challenge to maintaining food security and production. This paper investigates agricultural and rural challenges in the Duhok governorate of Iraqi Kurdistan from biophysical, political, and socio-economic perspectives. Satellite data is used to study land use and productivity,

while a review of government policies and interview data show the perspectives of the government and the local population. Our results reveal that these perspectives are not necessarily in line with each other, nor do they correspond well with the biophysical possibilities. While the government has been trying to increase agricultural productivity, satellite data show that yields have been declining

since 2000. Furthermore, a lack of services in rural areas is driving people to cities to seek better opportunities, which means that the local population’s incentive to increase agricultural activity is low. Governmental plans suggest land extensification to increase production and self-sufficiency, but the land use classification shows little available land. Instead, we recommend supporting small-scale traditional agriculture development as a more sustainable and feasible alternative. Additionally, more resources need to be focused on improving rural infrastructure and services to increase access to education and health care as a means of gaining support from the local population.

.....

https://www.google.iq/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=27&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiZ5a-irczVAhViBcAKHbZ9A_g4FBAWCEowBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdpi.com%2F2073-445X%2F6%2F2%2F44%2Fpdf&usg=AFQjCNFOQqm-TJJDoMSpWpAsu37vDIdsAg

1. Lack of irrigation, given that the country are confronted with prolonged periods of drought alternating with dilutive rain.

2. The low price offered by the processors to farmers for their products.

3. Changing the destination of agricultural land by urbanization and industrialization.

Farmers are not getting the desired price for their products, but intermediators are making profit. Need for proper  Irrigation facility, availability of quality seeds etc are secondary problems.

In Argentina, we have different kind of farmer in the agrarian sector. 

The main problems of the peasants are:

-The lack of access to water (for consumption and for production);

- Lack of infrastructure to market;

-There are no incentives for small and medium-scale agricultural production;

- Concentration of land.

In our country like India, three issues could be : small farm size on an average  , lack of irrigation facility and timely  availability of inputs considering Indian agriculture largely monsoon -based.

From Producers to Consumers: The Challenges and Opportunities of Agricultural Development in Iraqi Kurdistan

By Lina Eklund , Abdulhakim Abdi and Mine Islar

Abstract:

Agriculture and rural life in the Middle East have gone through several changes in the past few decades. The region is characterized by high population growth, urbanization, and water scarcity, which poses a challenge to maintaining food security and production. This paper investigates agricultural and rural challenges in the Duhok governorate of Iraqi Kurdistan from biophysical, political, and socio-economic perspectives. Satellite data is used to study land use and productivity,

while a review of government policies and interview data show the perspectives of the government and the local population. Our results reveal that these perspectives are not necessarily in line with each other, nor do they correspond well with the biophysical possibilities. While the government has been trying to increase agricultural productivity, satellite data show that yields have been declining

since 2000. Furthermore, a lack of services in rural areas is driving people to cities to seek better opportunities, which means that the local population’s incentive to increase agricultural activity is low. Governmental plans suggest land extensification to increase production and self-sufficiency, but the land use classification shows little available land. Instead, we recommend supporting small-scale traditional agriculture development as a more sustainable and feasible alternative. Additionally, more resources need to be focused on improving rural infrastructure and services to increase access to education and health care as a means of gaining support from the local population.

.....

https://www.google.iq/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=27&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiZ5a-irczVAhViBcAKHbZ9A_g4FBAWCEowBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdpi.com%2F2073-445X%2F6%2F2%2F44%2Fpdf&usg=AFQjCNFOQqm-TJJDoMSpWpAsu37vDIdsAg

The main reason are:

1-Water scarcity in spite of the presence of two rivers (Tigris and Euphrates),but the irrigation regime was very expensive when compared with farmers revenue.

2- The low prices for local products compared with its costs .

3 - Establishment of new cities on rivers sides which mean the destruction of thousands of fruit trees orchards.

THE STATE AND PROBLEMS OF SERBIAN AGRICULTURE!

Modern agriculture includes the process of building a new economic activity based on efficiency, competitiveness, intensity and marketability. The process of transition of Serbian agriculture to market conditions is long and difficult. In this study the authors identify the most important problems of this process: unfavourable ownership structure and low productivity, the ineffectiveness of the agrarian and economic policy, the slow development of support institutions and legislative framework, and unsuccessful privatization in agriculture. We are dealing with a number of chronic problems that seriously threaten the development of agriculture and hinder the implementation of transition reforms. The authors propose measures and activities for achieving a transition shift in this strategically important economic branch for Serbia...

http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/200524/2/16%20EP%201%202015.pdf

1. Lack of education on the efficient synergy of traditional farming practices and modern/scientific farming techniques among local farmers and educated agriculturalists.

2. Low prices of farm produce offered by buying agencies, retailers, and wholesalers to local farmers, thereby demoralizing them and intensifying their impoverished state.

3. Lack of private partnership for local farmers.

(Illustrations from Ghana)

Dickson Adom

I agree with Dr.Mohanned

Those answers satisfied for, Jordan, India, Argentine, Ghana, Iraq, Serbia, and Kuristan. I got a private answer from Iran emphasized that water scarcity, poverty of famers and traditional farming are major problems. I hope to get more answers from Japan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Italy, US, and Australia.

Challenges to World Agriculture in the 21st Century!

World agriculture in the 21st century will face three major challenges: how to feed a growing world population, how to contribute to reducing the still–high prevalence of rural poverty in the world, and how to respond to increased concerns about managing the natural resource base...

https://s.giannini.ucop.edu/uploads/giannini_public/48/01/4801e886-3406-4e10-b499-ed6147f457e8/spring2001_1.pdf

1. Less lands for farming due to urbanization

2. Some toxic contaminants from factories affect crops

3. Less young people are willing to go into agriculture

Let us have a look at three most prominent agricultural problems of developed versus developing countries...

I found that irrigation and water were the most important issue in most of answers.

1. Large number of small and marginal farmers

2. More than 50% rainfed farming system, success of crops depend on rains

3. Assured market at good rates is lacking

In   Nigeria: 

1. Inadequate finance 

2. Poor infrastructural development 

3. Low interest of youths in Agriculture 

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

Attached is an excellent article that entitled :

"FEEDING NINE BILLION THE ISSUES FACING GLOBAL AGRICULTURE"

I hope you will find it useful...

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

Attached is another an excellent article that entitled :

"The Three Agricultural Problems in the Disequilibrium of World Agriculture"

I hope you will find it useful...

Pakistan

natural disasters like flood

deforestation

population

In the US, where I am at now:

Some agriculture problems are:

1. Monoculture. Grower heavily practice 'monoculture' for farming here, meaning a specific elite variety is grown in huge lands. This lacks 'diversity', and it is dangerous if a disease outbreaks which can wipe out the whole field.

2. Drought. Drought seasons can hurt the productions of crops, including vegetables. A few years back, California (with large vegetable grown regions) experienced serious drought climate, and we couldn't buy specific vegetables at markets.  

3. Disease infection. Once in a while, food infections were reported and some killed people. For example, a few years back, Spanish E. Coli infection sickened some people. Meat bacterial infection were also occasionally reported and the meats were recalled. Last year, chicken flu has sickened many egg-laying chickens, and the egg price jumped  4 times (from ~US$1 to ~$4) per dozen of eggs. Many restaurants remove 'egg' items from salad bars or menus. Now, it comes back to normal price.

@Anoop Kumar Srivastava has made a subquestion on previous pages. This articles bring some info about the issue.

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/03068290010335226

https://focusweb.org/publications/2001/agriculture_which_way_forward.html

1.agricultural products marketing problem.

2.Farmers are probably the neglected group especially for getting recognition .

3.Agricultural consultation and research are not available for all manners  of farming. furthermore  there is a gap between agro and industry. 

In India production of food materials is not a issue. Proper storage and faster mechanism to reach in consumers hand may need attention. Food irradiation is being planned for future for long shelf life in case of potatoes and onion etc. Need of irrigation and water storage is continuously being expanded. New new variety of seeds are being developed and their distribution in further being enhanced. Cheap electricity to farmers is further needed for agriculture and availability of urea on subsidised rates may further help.

Thanks for sharing information. I wonder why arab countries did not shared any information like Egypt, Algeria,Sudan and Saudia Arabia ?