The Kurdistan Regional Government will distribute another payment to wheat farmers next week. The payment covers part of the money owed to farmers for their 2025 wheat production.
Farmers have waited about one year and two months for their remaining financial entitlements. The delay has created financial pressure for many farmers across the Kurdistan Region.
The Iraqi government still owes Kurdistan wheat farmers more than 141.754 billion Iraqi dinars. On Wednesday Baghdad transferred the seventh installment of the outstanding amount.
The latest installment totals 58.633889 billion Iraqi dinars. The funds have reached the Kurdistan Region’s account. However, officials need several days to complete administrative procedures before distributing the money.
Nawzad Sheikh Kamil, director general of trade at the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, said that the funds had reached the Region’s account.
He said officials still need to complete several procedures. Therefore, the payment process could begin next Tuesday or Wednesday.
The latest payment marks another step toward settling the wheat payments owed to farmers. However, the Kurdistan Region still expects more funds from Baghdad.
Official figures show that Iraq owes Kurdistan farmers more than 301 billion dinars for last year’s wheat production. Despite the latest transfer, Baghdad still holds around 83.12 billion dinars in outstanding wheat payments.
Farmers have repeatedly called for timely payments. Faster payments can help them cover production costs and prepare for the next agricultural season.
The Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government continue discussions over agricultural payments and wheat procurement.
The latest transfer should allow authorities to begin another round of payments next week. Meanwhile, officials will continue working to secure the remaining balance for wheat farmers.
The payment also provides some financial relief after the long delay. Farmers now expect the authorities to maintain the payment process until they receive their full entitlements.
