Background

Iraq is in a phase of fragile transition following several years of crisis. The security situation continues to improve substantially. However, militia activity, military operations and random outbreaks of violence continue to hinder access to health care, food, sanitation and education. Many displaced Iraqi families are reluctant to make the journey home in the face of poor living conditions, lack of social services and continuing insecurity in areas of transit and return.

Soaring agricultural input prices and severe drought in 2007/08 have seriously diminished Iraq’s food production capacity, already limited by shortages in improved seed and fertilizer and degraded water supply systems. Many small-scale farmers are at risk of losing their livelihoods. Barley and wheat yields have dropped dramatically, contributing to a steep increase in the price of food. The price hike in turn presents a challenge for the Government’s food aid programme, which serves a large portion of the population. Furthermore, recent reports indicate that poorer Iraqis cannot afford to supplement their Government ration with fresh food, leading to a lack of dietary diversity and widespread malnutrition among the country’s most vulnerable citizens.

FAO's emergency and rehabilitation role in Iraq

FAO is the United Nations sector team leader for agriculture, food security, environment and natural resource management. Operating from its relocated country office in Amman, Jordan, FAO works in partnership with other UN agencies to provide support to the Iraqi Government.

The focus areas of FAO’s work include:

• rehabilitation of water supply systems, including irrigation and drainage infrastructure;
• restoration of livestock and veterinary services, control of zoonotic and transboundary diseases and development of the dairy cattle sector;
• development of the private sector;
• promotion of income generation through cottage industries and micro-enterprises in areas like dairy processing and bee-keeping;
• resumption and modernization of fish farming and the commercial fish industry; and
• rehabilitation and development of the seed industry and the date palm sector.

In partnership with the international community, Iraq has recognised the crucial role of agriculture in the country’s social and economic development. In this context, FAO is currently implementing a medium-term strategy designed in close consultation with Iraqi Government officials: From emergency to development – medium-term strategy for FAO assistance.