Extension Education for Dryland Cropping Systems in Iraq

Iraq, formerly known as Mesopotamia, is the birthplace of agriculture. The recent war and instability have significantly impacted the country's agricultural production and knowledge support systems. To support revitalization of the Iraqi agricultural system, the USDA funded a consortium of five U.S. universities (Washington State University, University of California-Davis, New Mexico State University, Utah State University, and Texas A&M University as the lead institution) to provide training to agricultural extension personnel from Iraq. Each university had a specific training area. Washington State University was responsible for training in dryland cropping systems and delivered five separate sessions to Iraqis in several Middle East locations. Questionnaires distributed during each session guided subsequent training agendas and enhanced our understanding of extension and dryland cropping systems information needs in Iraq. There is great demand for training, technology, basic farm equipment, seed, and fertilizers, since current access to resources is insufficient to satisfy the country's needs. In addition to supplying inputs and equipment, further training should introduce methods for utilizing on-farm resources. There is also a clear need for better cooperation between Iraq's universities and extension agency, administered by the Iraq Ministry of Agriculture, in order to maximize the efficiency of research information transfer to farmers. (Contains 8 tables and 1 figure.)