The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is expanding agricultural modernization to increase production, reduce costs, and strengthen exports.
Qaraman Qadir, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, said farmers across the region are increasingly adopting modern farming methods.
One key change involves no-till farming. The method has expanded significantly in several areas. In some locations, farmers have increased no-till cultivation from 30 dunams to 300 dunams.
Qadir said no-till farming can reduce production costs and help farmers retain soil moisture. It can also improve the quality of agricultural products.
The ministry is also promoting smart agriculture and aquaponics. Officials hope these technologies will increase productivity and help farmers use resources more efficiently.
The Kurdistan Region has also expanded agricultural exports. According to Qadir, farmers now produce enough goods to serve domestic markets and supply foreign markets.
Tomatoes, figs, grapes, and other agricultural products now reach central and southern Iraq. Producers also export goods to Turkey, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The KRG is also focusing on food processing. Officials plan to increase the number of facilities that process and dry agricultural products.
These facilities can help farmers reduce losses during peak harvest periods. They can also increase the value of locally produced goods and create new business opportunities.
Water conservation remains another major priority. The government is introducing technologies such as WaterBox to improve water efficiency.
Officials consider the technology a potential alternative to traditional drip irrigation systems.
Agriculture and industry remain key priorities for the KRG’s ninth cabinet. As part of this strategy, the share of investment allocated to agriculture has increased from 1.8 percent to 10 percent.
The government has also supported farmers through 30,000 greenhouses and 319 cold-storage facilities. These projects aim to increase production and reduce post-harvest losses.
Meanwhile, more than 11,100 companies have received licenses, while investors have established 1,257 new factories.
These developments have strengthened domestic production and expanded agricultural businesses.
The KRG says the measures have helped the Kurdistan Region export tens of thousands of tons of agricultural products to international markets.
The expansion marks a major shift toward modern farming, stronger food processing, efficient water use, and greater participation in regional agricultural trade.
