The Iraqi government is preparing to release another round of wheat payments for farmers in the Kurdistan Region. The payments will cover part of the outstanding dues from last year’s wheat harvest. Officials plan to distribute the remaining funds in several phases alongside payments for this year’s crop.
More than a year has passed since farmers delivered their wheat to government silos across the Kurdistan Region. Although authorities have already paid part of the compensation, many farmers are still waiting to receive the rest of their money. The delayed payments have created financial challenges for thousands of producers.
According to officials, more than 144 billion Iraqi dinars from last year’s wheat payments remain unpaid. The Iraqi Ministry of Trade plans to continue the payment process, but it has not yet announced the exact amount that will go to farmers in the Kurdistan Region during the next round.
Nawzad Sheikh Kamil, Director General of Trade at the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, said Baghdad has completed preparations for another payment. However, he explained that officials have not yet determined the Kurdistan Region’s share of the upcoming allocation.
Kamil added that the Iraqi Ministry of Trade will distribute the funds in stages. This approach aims to settle outstanding payments while also covering compensation for this year’s wheat deliveries. Farmers will receive their dues once the federal government finalizes the payment schedule.
Last year, government silos accepted nearly 400,000 metric tons of wheat from farmers across the Kurdistan Region. The total value of the purchased wheat reached 301 billion Iraqi dinars. Authorities have already paid a large portion of that amount, but significant balances remain outstanding.
The payment process remains an important issue for the agricultural sector. Many farmers rely on wheat sales as their primary source of income. Timely payments also help producers prepare for the next planting season and purchase seeds, fertilizers, fuel, and farming equipment.
Agriculture continues to play a key role in the Kurdistan Region’s economy. Farmers and agricultural organizations hope Baghdad will complete all remaining payments as soon as possible. They believe faster compensation will strengthen food production, improve rural incomes, and support the region’s long-term agricultural development.
