On August 6, 2023, a significant stride forward was made in Iraq’s agricultural landscape. Through the Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) Grand Challenge’s MENA Regional Innovation Hub, a new collaboration model launched in the West Hamza District of the Babil Governorate. This venture brings together the know-how of Nakhla, a private sector agribusiness, and the Iraqi Agricultural Extension Services’ reach.
When examining constraints currently faced by Agricultural Extension Services in Iraq, the need for such a partnership becomes clear. With limited resources and an increasingly critical situation exacerbated by climate change effects and transboundary water management challenges, there’s a pressing demand for sustainable and innovative solutions. Additionally, smallholder farmers are struggling to access information which significantly hinders their capacity to react and adapt to climate change.
The MENA Regional Innovation Hub worked to develop a collaborative model that addresses these challenges, coupling private sector innovation and resources with public sector extension services networks and reach to provide a win-win-win situation. The private sector can expand its customer base and reach, while public sector extension services improve their offering to farmers. Finally and most importantly, smallholder farmers gain better access to information, services, and technologies, enabling them to become more climate resilient.
The unique model proposed by WE4F leverages :
- Joint planning. The WE4F innovator and the local Agricultural Extension Authority come together to jointly strategize and plan extension activities, aligning their goals and visions.
- Resource allocation by the innovator. Bypassing the typical resource constraints faced by the Extension Services, the WE4F innovator takes the lead in securing the necessary resources. This ensures the extension activities’ successful execution.
- Benefits to both parties. While the Extension Authority gains the ability to address vital issues without being hampered by resource limitations, the WE4F innovator garners a credible platform. This platform allows them to raise awareness about their products and services as well as expand their customer base.
A First Look at the Model in Action
The model above was carefully deployed in the West Hamza District during an event organized with Nakhla and the Agricultural Extension Service Center of Hamza District.
In an event primarily with palm farmers, Nakhla presented alternate technical and marketing strategies aimed at improving the volume and quality of date production. The company also introduced mechanisms through which farmers could secure better pricing for their produce. By the event’s conclusion, Nakhla captured the interest of the 19 participating farmers, with 5 expressing a concrete interest in immediate collaboration.
Beyond the core objectives of the event, a prominent highlight was the farmers’ enriched learning experience. They gained valuable knowledge on new methodologies and alternative marketing techniques, and even received insights on current trends in dates marketing in the region and the world. This underlines the essence of the event – fostering an environment of mutual learning and growth.
Looking Ahead:
Following the success of this inaugural event, the approach can not only be replicated, but standardized and broadened. Through participatory evaluations with stakeholders, including the Deputy General Manager of Agricultural Extension Services in Iraq, there is eager anticipation for more such collaborations.
The synergy between private sector agribusinesses and the Iraqi Agricultural Extension Services is pivotal, especially given the present challenges. It is an embodiment of innovation meeting necessity, and the results, as witnessed in Hamza District, are nothing short of transformative.
Stakeholders, both domestic and international, take note of such models. In the ever-complex world of resource constraints and climatic challenges, these collaborations pave the path for sustainable growth and resilience. The journey initiated by WE4F and its partners in Iraq is just the beginning, and its ripples are set to shape the future of Iraq’s agriculture while serving as a beacon for other sectors and regions.
