Rebuilding Agriculture and Food Security in Iraq

United States Department of Agriculture
Foreign Agricultural Service

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Rebuilding Agriculture and Food Security in Iraq

MG Kevin Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman, and Michael Yost, US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator, speak with reporters in Baghdad. (03/12/08)

For most of its history, Iraq has maintained a strong agricultural heritage. Unfortunately, during the previous regime, investments and resources were diverted away from farming and food production. Rebuilding Iraq's agricultural infrastructure is now a major priority.

FAS is working in close partnership with other agencies in the U.S. government to assure the food security of the people of Iraq right now and for the future.

In 2006, FAS placed its first agricultural advisors on provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) in Iraq.

The FAS personnel on PRTs work actively with other U.S. agencies, the U.S. military, aid organizations and the Iraqi government to help Iraq harness its economic potential to recreate jobs and other opportunities for its people. FAS is working to support Iraq's agricultural sector by assessing needs, sharing technical expertise, and developing projects.

U.S. Working to Rebuild Iraq's Agriculture
— Detail Assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan for USDA Employees
— Detail Assignments in Iraq or Afghanistan for qualified individuals outside USDA
— Fact Sheet (March 2008)

Sitting from left to right in the front row are:
Jonathan Gressel, US Agricultural Counselor/AmEm Baghdad; John Stephenson, USDA/FSIS employee and PRT AgAdvisor in Ta’mim Province; Mike Stevens, USDA/FSA employee and ePRT7 AgAdvisor in Baghdad Province; Jane Broussard, USDA/FSIS employee and ePRT AgAdvisor in Salah ad Din Province; Dr. Greg Brooke, USDA/FSIS employee and PRT AgAdvisor in Diyala Province; James Bright, USDA/AMS employee and AgAdvisor in Baghdad Province; and USDA/FAS Administrator Mike Yost. Secy Edward Schafer is pictured in the inset. (03/11/08)

News About Iraqi Agricultural Reconstruction
- Schafer Recognizes Work Of USDA Advisors Who Served In Afghanistan And Iraq (05/02/08)
  — USDA Video of the recognition ceremony
- President Bush Discusses Iraq (04/10/08)
- Iraqis "Ambitious" to Upgrade Agricultural Sector (03/12/08)
- Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer Speaks to Reporters Following Video Teleconference to Baghdad, Iraq (03/11/08)
- FAS Administrator Yost in Iraq
  — Dialogue Continues On How To Improve Iraqi Ag Sector (USDA Radio News; 02/27/08 - real, mp3, wave)
  — Human Resources Important To Rebuild Iraqi Agriculture (USDA Radio News; 02/27/08 - real, mp3, wave)
  — Iraqi Agricultural Rebuild Needs Plant Research (USDA Radio News; 02/28/08 - real, mp3, wave)
- Reconstruction Teams Work Toward Stable Iraq (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association; 11/15/07)
- Developing Processed Foods for Iraq’s Commodities (USDA Radio News; 11/13/07 - real, mp3, wave)
- USDA Radio Interviews Provincial Reconstruction Team Members in Iraq (USDA Radio News; 10/23/07 - real, mp3, wave)
  — Helping Iraq To Develop Livestock Protection Systems (USDA Radio News; 10/23/07 - real, mp3, wave)
  — Farming Near Baghdad (USDA Radio News; 10/23/07 - real, mp3, wave)
- USDA Helping Iraqi Farmers (USDA Radio News; 10/03/07 - real, mp3, wave)
  — Developing New Markets for Iraqi Farmers (USDA Radio News; 10/03/07 - real, mp3, wave)
- Provincial Reconstruction Teams Are Improving Lives in Iraq (U.S. Department of State; 09/04/07)
- Fact Sheet on Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs; U.S. Department of State; 08/01/07)
- Iraq Provincial Reconstruction Teams Helping Rebuild Nation (U.S. Department of State; 07/13/07)
- Overview of Provincial Reconstruction Teams’ Mission in Iraq (White House; 07/13/07)
- U.S. Iraq-Afghanistan Nominee Supports Local Solutions (U.S. Department of State; 06/07/07)
- Bush Names Army General as Senior Advisor for Iraq, Afghanistan (U.S. Department of State; 05/16/07)
- Rice Urges Broad International Participation in Iraq Compact (U.S. Department of State; 03/03/07)
Archived News About Iraqi Agricultural Reconstruction (2003–Present)
Recent USDA Reports
- FAS: U.S. Assistance in Afghanistan and Iraq (slide presentation; download PowerPoint file; 2006)
- FAS: U.S. Trade Reports
- FAS: Iraq: Current Remote Imaging for Weather and Crop Data
- FSIS: Export Requirements for Iraq
Trade How-To's for U.S. Exporters
- Trade.gov: Iraq
  - Market Information (overview)
  - Business Opportunities
  - Primer on Exporting U.S. Goods to Iraq (June 2007)
  - U.S. Government Procurement and Contracts
  - Quick Start Contracting Guide (2007; in English and Arabic)
  - Active Tenders
  - Events
  - Useful Links
  - Register for Iraq Reconstruction Alert (emails)
- BuyUSA.gov: Iraq
  - Find a Business Provider
  - Services for U.S. Companies
- Baghdad Business Center
- Export–Import Bank: Iraq
- Iraq Project and Contracting Office (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; procurement oversight)
- Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
- Summary of U.S. Export Controls on Iraq (U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security)
- U.S. Department of State: Iraq Travel Information
- U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control
  - Iraq Sanctions
Country Analysis
- U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics:
  - U.S. Exports to Iraq (2003–2007)
  - U.S. Trade (Imports, Exports and Trade Balance) with Iraq (1992–Present)
- CIA Fact Book: Iraq
- FAO: General Information about Iraq
- U.S. Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration
  - Iraq Country Analysis Brief
- Library of Congress
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  - Unique Imagery for Iraq (2003–2004)
  - Iraq Weather Maps
- National Technical Information Service Products (search)
Background on Foreign Policy With Iraq
- White House (Renewal in Iraq)
  - Fact Sheet: The Way Forward in Iraq (04/10/08)
  - Fact Sheet: Achieving Political and Economic Progress in Iraq (03/27/08)
  - Fact Sheet: U.S.-Iraq Declaration of Principles for Friendship and Cooperation (11/26/07)
  - Benchmark Assessment Report on Iraq (09/14/07)
  - National Strategy for Victory in Iraq (11/30/05)
- Coalition Provisional Authority (Archived)
- U.S. Department of State: Iraq
  - Background Note
  - Consular Information Sheet
  - U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq
  - Fact Sheets
  - Human Rights Practices (2005; issued 03/08/06)
  - Iraq Update (International Information Service)
    - Iraq Update Archive
  - Iraq Weekly Status Report
  - Rebuilding Iraq: U.S. Achievements Through the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (February 2006)
  - Reconstruction Contracts (U.S. Government)
  - Section 2207 Report on Iraq Relief and Reconstruction (quarterly)
  - Broadcast Services Archive: Rebuilding Iraq
- United Nations News Focus: Iraq
Partners in Humanitarian Assistance
- U.S. Agency for International Development: Assistance for Iraq (USAID)
- International Advisory and Monitoring Board for the Development Fund for Iraq
- International Monetary Fund
- International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (Joint United Nations and World Bank)
  - Joint Iraq Needs Assessment (October 2003)
- World Food Program (WFP)
Archive: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance for the People of Iraq (Last updated July 2003)

Contact USDA About Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)

See U.S. Working in Iraq—Agricultural Projects

See Detail Assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan for USDA Employees

See Rebuilding Agriculture and Food Security in Afghanistan

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