Kurdistan Region, Netherlands sign agreement on agricultural cooperation

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the field of agriculture and develop local produce, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources announced on Sunday. 

“This MoU is one of the most important MoUs, that puts a great responsibility on the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, and at the same time the Netherlands consulate to be able to cooperate in developing the agricultural sector in the Kurdistan Region,” Begard Talabani said in a press conference.

The agreement includes forming a team of Kurdish and Dutch advisors, experts, and directorate officials to develop the industry and ensure food security, she added, saying it will also create jobs and help farmers sell their products. 

Kurdish farmers have struggled to find markets for their produce in the past. Last year, farmers dumped loads of potatoes in front of the agriculture ministry in Erbil, protesting against imports that pushed their spuds out of the market.

“You are blessed with a green and very fertile country, but when I go to any supermarket here in the Kurdistan Region, I only find imported products,” Dutch Consul-General Hans Akerboom said at the press conference.

That’s why the Netherlands “as the experts in the field of agriculture, are supporting the minister and supporting the Kurdistan Region, to explore and to expand to develop the agricultural sector … That’s why we just signed this MoU to have better, healthier, and cheaper vegetables here in the Kurdistan Region, grown by your own farmers,” he added.

The Netherlands, though a small country, is the second biggest agricultural exporter in the world. They have been a constant backer of developing Kurdistan Region’s agriculture, economy and infrastructure, as well as providing financial and training support to farmers.

Akerboom announced in May that they are working towards expanding the Kurdistan Region's agriculture sector.

"We are using high-tech technology... top-market innovation," he told Rudaw in an interview on April 29. "But we also like to support Kurdistan in doing this."

Amsterdam has also teamed up with the KRG and NGOs to support the building of greenhouses in the Region, which Talabani said have been implemented in both Erbil and Sulaimani, and will be implemented soon in Duhok.

The Netherlands Municipalities Association (VNG) also signed an MoU in May with the Region’s municipality and tourism ministry for further cooperation in providing services, team training and to improve infrastructure.

The small nation has invested about $17 million in Iraq’s agriculture sector.