Baghdad – IA
The Minister of Trade, Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairi, announced today, Thursday, the start of receiving quantities of chickpeas from farmers and the start of the 2024-2025 marketing season.
A statement from the ministry – received by the (INA) – quoted the Director General of the General Company for Grain Trade, Haider Nouri Al-Karaawi, as saying: “The marketing season for the chard crop for the year 2024-2025 was opened in the Al-Najaf Governorate with the receipt of the first marketed quantities of the chard crop from peasants and farmers in The Kufa Silo of the Governorate Branch.
Al-Karaawi stressed – according to the statement – that “this season will complement the successes of previous seasons of the quantities of local wheat received that achieved self-sufficiency,” directing “the company’s branches in the Chalabi governorates to prepare to open their doors to any quantity of local wheat received from marketers and farmers, after it was completed.” Preparing marketing centers in the governorates.
The statement noted, “It is expected that the quantities produced this season will record high rates in terms of quantity and quality after the interruption of the cultivation of the Shallot crop for two years.”
The grain company’s reports, as explained in the statement, indicate that “the Ministry of Agriculture approved the marketing plan, instructing its agricultural directorates to provide farmers with books on the plan for the purpose of heading to the marketing centers to begin marketing, in addition to the company’s Central Marketing Committee officially circulating the marketing plan, which included controls.” And marketing instructions and specifications for amber and jasmine.
Time.news Interview: A Deep Dive into the Chickpea Market with Minister Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairi
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Minister Al-Ghurairi! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the announcement of the new marketing season for chickpeas. Can you tell us what drove the decision to kick off the 2024-2025 marketing season now?
Minister Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairi: Thank you for having me. The decision to initiate the marketing season early is part of our strategic plan to boost local agriculture and ensure that farmers have a reliable outlet for their crops. By starting early, we aim to stabilize prices and encourage more farmers to participate, which in turn can enhance food security.
Time.news Editor: That sounds like a proactive approach! How do you anticipate this season will differ from previous years, particularly in terms of production and pricing?
Minister Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairi: We expect production to increase this year due to favorable weather conditions and improved farming practices. Additionally, we are implementing a new pricing strategy that is more farmer-friendly, which should motivate more farmers to bring their products to market. Our goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem for chickpea production and marketing.
Time.news Editor: Can you elaborate on the measures being taken to support farmers? What kind of assistance can they expect during this marketing season?
Minister Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairi: Certainly! We are offering financial support through subsidies and low-interest loans to help farmers with their operational costs. We are also enhancing our extension services to provide them with the latest agricultural practices and technologies. Furthermore, we have initiatives in place to ensure that farmers have access to high-quality seeds and fertilizers.
Time.news Editor: Those initiatives sound promising. How do you envision the role of chickpeas in Iraq’s broader agricultural landscape moving forward?
Minister Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairi: Chickpeas play a vital role in both the economy and nutrition of Iraq. They are not only a staple food but also a cash crop for many farmers. By increasing chickpea production, we can reduce dependency on imports, promote local consumption, and ultimately strengthen our agricultural identity. We see this as a stepping stone to revitalize other sectors as well.
Time.news Editor: With the global market constantly evolving, how does Iraq plan to position its chickpea products in international markets?
Minister Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairi: We are actively exploring partnerships and trade agreements that focus on quality and sustainability. Our aim is to ensure that Iraqi chickpeas are known for their quality in international markets. We are also investing in marketing campaigns to promote our products abroad and establish a brand that embodies the unique characteristics of Iraqi agriculture.
Time.news Editor: Extremely insightful, Minister! what message do you want to convey to the farmers and the community as the new season begins?
Minister Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairi: My message is one of optimism and collaboration. We are in this together, and I encourage all farmers to participate actively in this marketing season. Together, we can create a robust agricultural sector that contributes to our national economy and feeds our communities. Let’s make this a successful season for everyone involved!
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Minister Al-Ghurairi, for sharing your insights today. We wish you and the farmers a productive and fruitful season ahead!
Minister Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairi: Thank you very much! It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.