Four large silos built under the Ninth Cabinet
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s ninth cabinet has prioritized food security by building silos and modernizing agriculture, ensuring Kurdistan’s ability to meet domestic and export demands.
The ninth cabinet, led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, has implemented a comprehensive food security plan, paying significant attention to the agricultural sector. As a result, food security has greatly improved in the Kurdistan Region.
During this cabinet’s term, several key measures were taken to protect food security, including the construction of large silos and the implementation of modern agricultural and industrial projects. Over the past five years, the program to safeguard food security has been successful, despite numerous crises. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) allocated a full budget for silo construction in cities and towns, including the Qushtapa silo, valued at 22 billion Iraqi dinars. This investment aims to bolster food security, reflecting the Prime Minister’s commitment to ensuring that Kurdistan can export food products beyond domestic demand. This year, for the first time, wheat was received from farmers at the Kurdistan silos without complications.
Maintaining food security is critical for any country, helping it avoid crises. Wheat, often called “the father of food,” is central to this effort. The government’s plan, which includes building silos and purchasing farmers’ products, has been a priority. Nawzad Kamil, Director General of Trade at the Ministry of Trading and Industry, told The Kurdish Globe that the ninth cabinet focused on developing Kurdistan’s economic infrastructure, especially the agricultural and industrial sectors. According to Kamil, without strengthening agriculture, industrial growth is not possible.
The government’s plan included expanding agricultural protection and development. Several silos have been completed, including those in Garmiyan, Rovian, and Qushtapa. Preparations for more silos are already underway. In total, Kurdistan now has 11 silos, enabling the region to store and manage wheat efficiently.
Kamil explained that there are plans to build five more silos to ease the burden on farmers and support the industrialization of agricultural products. Prime Minister Barzani has also taken steps to facilitate the export of these products, discussing their quality and marketability with foreign consuls. He has been unwavering in his efforts to promote Kurdistan’s agricultural sector.
Kamil also highlighted the government’s proactive approach, stating, “We cannot wait for Baghdad to supply goods, so we have initiated a food protection revolution, with a particular focus on agriculture and food preservation. The demand for domestic job creation has increased, and now, a modern method has emerged where companies and factories sign contracts with farmers to purchase their products directly.”
Kurdistan can collect 700,000 tons of wheat from farmers annually. The program works effectively, with silos located in Erbil, Qushtapa, Raperin, Sayyid Sadiq, Sheikhan, Zakho, Garmiyan, and other areas. These silos have contributed significantly to the success of food security efforts, and many of the agricultural products have been industrialized and marketed.
Under the ninth cabinet, the construction of silos has progressed rapidly. The Rovian and Garmiyan silos have been completed, and the Erbil silo is operational and receives wheat. The Halabja silo, which is under construction, will have a capacity of 40,000 tons annually. This expansion is a key component of the government’s food security strategy. Additionally, Prime Minister Barzani has prioritized building refrigeration and storage facilities to prevent spoilage and ensure the quality of stored products. The silos in Kurdistan are built to international standards, contributing to the region’s high-quality agricultural storage system.
The Kurdish Globe