Inauguration of the Village Dairy Center in Karbala Statement

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Women Farmers,

Dear Colleagues,

I am so delighted to join you today here in Karbala - a land of deep history and strong communities - to celebrate the inauguration of this Village Dairy Center.

It is indeed an important milestone for sustainable livelihoods and women’s empowerment.

This center is part of a broader vision – to transform the agrifood system to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable, and to create real opportunities for rural women and youth.

It is one of five centers rehabilitated under the project “Integrating Climate-Smart Practices for Women’s Empowerment”, generously funded by the Government of Norway, and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of Iraq, local agricultural centers, and women’s cooperatives.

This initiative brings together effective partnerships, innovation, inclusion, and impact.

It strengthens food security, promotes climate-smart dairy practices, and empowers rural women through training, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Each center provides jobs for seven to ten women in dairy production – they are true engines of transformation and the first of their kind in the Middle Euphrates region. They will lead the Four Betters example at village level.

FAO has proudly supported the establishment and rehabilitation of dairy collection and processing centers across Iraq, and today I wish to thank in particular the Governor of Karbala for the fruitful collaboration.

FAO remains committed to walking hand in hand with the people of Iraq to promote food security, climate resilience, and inclusive rural development,

And for the realization of the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life – leaving no one behind.

Thank you – Shukran.