The President of the University of Duhok, Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, welcomed a high-level delegation from Switzerland and the Netherlands today, September 4, 2024, to discuss ongoing collaboration on agricultural development in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The delegation included Dr. Anna Wood, the Director of the “Potato Value Chain Development in Kurdistan Region- Iraq” project from CABI, and Mr. Mohammed Nabil, the Director of Production Development at HZPC, a Dutch company specializing in potato seed production. They were accompanied by Prof. Dr. Rafail S. Toma, Project Manager from the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences at the University of Duhok.

The visit focused on reviewing the progress of the Potato Value Chain Development project and recognizing the crucial contributions of the University of Duhok team, along with partners including the Directorate of Agriculture in Duhok Governorate (Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources- KRI), and KH Agricultural Company. Discussions highlighted the impact of this collaboration on enhancing potato production and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Also present at the meeting were Dr. Bahzad M. T. Khalid, a member of the university team, and Mr. Hussam M. Rikani, the official representative of CABI in Iraqi Kurdistan. The discussions reinforced the importance of ongoing cooperation between local and international stakeholders to drive agricultural development and promote economic growth in the region.

UOD Media, September 5, 2024

Ismat Khabour and Mahir Tahir Kestayi

Photo: Ali Banki