Dutch Consul General Highlights Decade-Long Agricultural Cooperation with Kurdistan Region
"This cooperation has been ongoing for over a decade, and we've seen strong results, going from a production of around 2,000 tons a year to over 600,000 tons now,” Adriaan IJsselstein told Kurdistan24.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Dutch Consul General in Erbil, Adriaan IJsselstein, praised the expanding agricultural cooperation between the Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq during a visit to the Carrefour shopping center in Erbil, where a new locally produced potato variety was unveiled.
Speaking to Kurdistan24, IJsselstein highlighted the significant strides made over the past decade in agricultural collaboration, particularly in the field of potato production.
“We're here at the new potato species introduced here at Carrefour, and I think this species is a good example of the strong cooperation between the Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in the field of agriculture,” he said. “This cooperation has been ongoing for over a decade, and we've seen strong results, going from a production of around 2,000 tons a year to over 600,000 tons now.”
According to the Consul General, the two sides have worked together across the entire agricultural value chain — from seed potatoes to harvesting and processing — resulting in a more efficient and productive system.
The locally produced potato variety, now being sold at Carrefour, is a tangible outcome of this cooperation, IJsselstein noted, adding that it demonstrates the region’s growing capacity to manage the full cycle of agricultural production.
“This project is important for the farming sector in the Kurdistan Region because it creates thousands of jobs. It contributes not only to employment, but also to food security and the potential to export to other parts of Iraq and the wider region,” he explained.
IJsselstein also expressed optimism about the future of Dutch-Kurdish agricultural ties, pointing to opportunities in other areas such as vegetable and dairy production.
“There are great steps the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq can make with the support and cooperation of the Netherlands,” he said.
The partnership is mutually beneficial, offering Dutch companies access to a growing market while allowing the Kurdistan Region to benefit from Dutch agricultural expertise.
“It’s a win-win situation,” he emphasized. “We’re very happy to continue this cooperation.”
The Netherlands is globally recognized for its advanced agricultural sector and continues to play a key role in supporting sustainable development projects across Iraq, particularly in regions with the potential to become major agricultural hubs.
