Iraq Sustainable Development Strategy for the Poultry Sector (2022-2026)
Executive Summary
Dr Majed Hamed Al Sayeg / poultry pathologist / Australia
The poultry sector is one of Iraq’s key agricultural industries, with significant potential to support economic recovery, create jobs, and enhance food security. This strategy, developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Ministry of Planning (MoP) with international partners, aims to transform the sector into a competitive, sustainable, and inclusive industry. By 2025, annual demand for poultry products in Iraq is expected to exceed $1.3 billion, underscoring the urgent need to boost local production and reduce reliance on imports.
Vision and Goals
Vision: Redeeming Iraq’s ‘white gold’: Building a dynamic poultry sector competitive in domestic markets.
Goal: Enhancing the competitiveness of the poultry sector to meet Iraqi consumer needs while improving household food security and creating employment opportunities.
Strategic Objectives
Enhance the Competitiveness of Poultry Production:
Improve productivity through access to high-quality inputs, training, and infrastructure development.
Promote climate-smart farming practices to ensure sector sustainability.
Strengthen processing and packaging capabilities to add value and meet consumer expectations.
Improve the Business Environment and Sector Cooperation:
Strengthen partnerships between public and private stakeholders and improve coordination.
Expand access to financial services and entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for women and youth.
Simplify regulatory frameworks and address business barriers.
Strengthen Market Linkages:
Improve connections across the value chain and access to market information.
Promote domestic consumption through national campaigns.
Explore export opportunities by aligning with international standards.
Sector Profile and Current Challenges
Strengths:
Iraqi consumers prefer locally produced poultry products, especially for their taste and freshness.
High domestic demand for chicken meat and eggs, projected to reach $900 million and $350 million, respectively, by 2025.
Strong potential for job creation, particularly for women and youth.
Challenges:
Production Constraints:
High costs and limited availability of quality inputs such as feed and vaccines.
Insufficient investment in modern infrastructure at most farms.
Limited packaging and branding capabilities, reducing local product competitiveness.
Business Environment:
Weak coordination among value chain actors and limited institutional support.
Low levels of entrepreneurial skills and technology adoption among farmers and firms.
Regulatory and administrative barriers discouraging investment and innovation.
Market Linkages:
Weak connections across the value chain and limited consumer-focused market information.
Lack of robust quality management systems and food safety compliance.
Key Market Insights:
Consumer Preferences: Iraqi consumers prioritize slaughter date, taste, and local origin when purchasing poultry products. Packaging and price volatility are significant areas for improvement.
Competitiveness: Locally produced poultry products are favoured for their taste and freshness but struggle to compete with imports due to inconsistent quality and limited branding efforts.
Gender Inclusivity: Women represent only 22% of the workforce in the sector, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to increase their participation.
Strategic Activities and Implementation
Enhancing Competitiveness:
Establish hatcheries and chicken breeds adapted to local conditions through pilot projects in high-potential governorates.
Provide specialized training for farmers on best farming practices and climate-smart agriculture techniques.
Develop packaging and processing facilities to improve product quality and comply with food safety standards.
Improving the Business Environment:
Create a public-private dialogue platform to address regulatory barriers and enhance sector cooperation.
Encourage youth and women’s entrepreneurship through mentorship programs and technical training.
Expand access to financial services, including Sharia-compliant financing options.
Strengthening Market Linkages:
Launch national campaigns to promote locally produced poultry products, highlighting their freshness and quality.
Develop partnerships with quality management institutions to enhance compliance with standards and certifications.
Explore export opportunities by aligning with World Trade Organization (WTO) standards.
Institutional Framework for Implementation
Sector Steering Committee: A multi-stakeholder body responsible for coordinating activities, monitoring progress, and mobilizing resources.
Executive Secretariat: A dedicated team providing operational support, data collection, partner coordination, and effective communication.
Expected Impacts
Economic Growth:
Increase local production to meet growing demand and reduce dependence on imports.
Enhance profitability and competitiveness of local producers.
Social Inclusion:
Create job opportunities, particularly for women and youth in rural areas.
Improve household food security by providing high-quality poultry products.
Environmental Sustainability:
Adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to mitigate risks and build sector resilience.
Promote sustainable waste management and reduce environmental impacts.
Conclusion:
The Iraq Sustainable Development Strategy for the Poultry Sector (2022-2026) serves as a roadmap to revitalise the poultry sector by leveraging local strengths and addressing critical challenges. This strategy aims to transform the sector into a cornerstone of Iraq’s agricultural economy through enhanced productivity, improved market connections, and strengthened public-private collabo
