Agriculture and water resources: KRG’s top priorities in green investment 

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has ambitious plans for green investment in its agricultural sector by developing the livestock sector, rural areas, and water and irrigation management systems. 

The KRG’s 2022 investment vision focuses heavily on green development plans to increase local agricultural products through better irrigation systems and better agricultural industry plants. 

“The Kurdistan Regional Government integrates the environmental dimension in the implementation of agricultural projects via the private sector in a comprehensive market-oriented economic model,” reads KRG green investment guide. “This approach is more likely to produce better results and contribute to green growth.” 

According to local agricultural investment experts, the Kurdistan Region has large areas of land, estimated at about 1.69 million dunums, suitable for agriculture and grazing. Each dunum equals 2,500 square meters. The region also has an appropriate climate and water resources that are suitable for irrigation and investment.

“There is an increasing demand for purchasing organic crops and agricultural products in the local and Iraqi market,” said Twana Ali, a local green investment expert. “There are so many great investment opportunities in Kurdistan for the international companies. They just need to be willing to come and invest.” 

According to the KRG’s 2022 green investment guide, there are at least seven potential projects for planting walnut trees across the Kurdistan Region, including Sulaimani, Soran, Halabja, and Duhok governorates. There are also eight potential projects for planting grape trees, eight projects for planting pomegranate trees, 12 for fig trees, nine for peach trees, and 15 for organic olive production. In addition to this, there are tens of other projects for maize, various vegetables, poultry, dairy, and meat products. 

“Kurdistan is rich with water, and if the government manages its water resources, it will better serve the agricultural product,” noted Ali. “The government has good plans on paper, it’s just waiting for the international companies to come and start investing. The government has promising investment laws to encourage the companies.”

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Wednesday in Qatar’s capital Doha, where they discussed developing bilateral ties, particularly in the trade and investment sector.  

As part of its efforts to transform the Kurdistan Region into a competitive producer, the KRG has invested in strategic projects to strengthen and expand the region’s agricultural sector and food industry. One of these landmark projects is the Wheat Marketing Project, which Prime Minister Masrour Barzani launched on Nov. 1, 2020, as the first step toward a self-sufficient and sustainable economy.