The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi government have reached a new agreement to protect locally grown agricultural products. The agreement also aims to strengthen domestic markets and support local farmers.
Under the new rules, authorities will temporarily ban imports whenever local crops reach the market. As a result, farmers will have a better opportunity to sell their produce without competing with imported goods.
Dr. Zeda Mohammed, Director General of Planning at the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, said both governments have established a strong coordination mechanism. She added that the agreement follows the annual agricultural calendar.
According to the agreement, Iraq will stop importing products when crops from the Kurdistan Region become available. Likewise, the Kurdistan Region will suspend imports when farmers in central and southern Iraq begin harvesting. The agricultural calendar sets the harvest period for every major crop.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture has already begun implementing the agreement. On the 23rd of this month, it issued an official directive to all border crossings. The order suspended tomato imports until this year’s domestic harvest season ends.
Furthermore, the ministry listed 45 locally produced agricultural products. It also specified the import ban period for each crop. Therefore, local producers will receive greater market protection during harvest seasons.
In addition, Iraq introduced new transport requirements for tomatoes shipped from the Kurdistan Region. Truck drivers must carry an official certificate from the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Agriculture. The document must appear in both Kurdish and Arabic. It must also confirm that the tomatoes were grown locally.
Similarly, agricultural products entering the Kurdistan Region from other parts of Iraq must include certification from the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture.
Officials believe the agreement will strengthen food security. Moreover, they expect it to reduce import dependence and increase support for local farmers across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
