Member of the previous Parliament's Agriculture and Water Committee, Thaer Al-Jubouri, confirmed today, Friday, that the costs of agricultural production in Iraq have increased by rates ranging between 15% and 20% after the rise in the dollar exchange rate, noting that this will burden farmers in the country.
Al-Jubouri stated in a press interview that "the agricultural sector in Iraq faces accumulated challenges over many years, especially the very high increase in production costs."
He pointed out that "after the dollar exchange rate was raised, those costs increased by rates ranging from 15 to 20%, thus constituting financial burdens, especially due to the rise in prices of fertilizers and fuel, in addition to other production tools."
Al-Jubouri explained that "these increases reduce the equilibrium between costs and profitability, pushing many farmers into the risk of loss, which leads some of them to abandon the profession of their ancestors."
He emphasized that "supporting the agricultural sector represents a vital part of food security pathways, and therefore the state should double its support for the agricultural sector, especially since it is an important and strategic sector in light of regional tensions."
He affirmed "the necessity of maintaining agricultural production rates to meet market needs and prevent price escalation," pointing out that "the situation of the agricultural sector needs a comprehensive review through shaping support tools and striving to reduce production costs."