This document presents a vision for the transitional process from relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction to sustainable agricultural development in Iraq. To this end, the document focuses on identification of short versus medium to longer-term policy measures needed for this process. For the transformation of the views and ideas expressed in the document into a pragmatic road map (i.e., an operational plan of action) for the transitional process, there is a need for a comprehensive follow-up field work to be carried out by a multi-disciplinary team of experts. The team would analyse the damages to the sector's infrastructure, and on the basis of the analysis would address the transitional process in relation to key agricultural sub-sectors within the appropriate farming systems approach.
The document draws on FAO's experience in emergency relief and rehabilitation work in Iraq as well as in sustainable agricultural development. In this regard, the Special Emergency Programmes Service excellent support and collaboration in this endeavour are gratefully acknowledged. In particular, Mr L. Thomas, Chief, Special Emergency Programmes Service (TCES), has provided substantive advice and council during the preparation of the document. His first-hand knowledge of the situation in the country, outstanding perceptions and deep insights have been most helpful in the formulation of the main concepts and approaches presented in the document. Likewise, Messrs. V.R. Vinet and W. Chakkalakal, Liaison/Operations Officers; and Ms. I. Joshi, Policy/Reports Officer, TCES, have made significant contributions to this work.
The document draws on the data and information provided in key periodical technical reports prepared by the FAO Representation Office in Baghdad, the Coordination Office in the north, as well as the technical reports prepared by the international and national FAO experts in the field. In addition, the current document benefited from the reports of the main FAO technical missions to the country. The efforts of the authors of all these reports, particularly Messrs. Amir A. Khalil, Former Assistant Director-General and FAO Representative in Iraq; P. Kastanias, Programme Coordinator of FAO Operations under the Oil-for-Food Programme and Officer in Charge FAO Baghdad and Elkheir Kalafalla Khalid former Programme Manager of FAO Operations under the Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq, are highly appreciated.
Special reference should be made to Part II of the document on "the State of Food and Agriculture: An Overview" in the country. This section draws, among other sources, on the material presented in the working papers included in Volume 2 of the FAO's draft "Three-year Agricultural Programme in the Iraqi Northern Governorates". Sincere thanks are, therefore, due to Messrs. D. Khan, Chief, Asia and Pacific Service, Investment Centre Division (TCIP); W. Sorrenson, Economist, TCIP, Team leader (for the programme formulation), and the FAO experts/focal points in concerned technical divisions who have been directly involved in the formulation of the three-year programme.
An earlier draft of the document was widely circulated at FAO's technical divisions for review and comments. Substantive comments and constructive suggestions for improvement were received. These remarks, as far as feasible and appropriate, were incorporated in the current document. Sincere thanks and appreciation are due to all FAO colleagues who have provided of their experience and knowledge for the improvement of the report.
The above inputs to the current document have been further enhanced by available data and information on the food and agricultural sector in the country; in particular the data and information obtained from FAOSTAT, Database (see Annexes I to VII).
Finally, Ms. Alexia di Fabio and Ms. Rachel M. Blasi have skilfully and patiently typed the various drafts of the document.
