Quarterly Report (July - September 2009) Inma Agribusiness Program

The program aims to promote economic diversification and job creation in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors. The contract, number 267-C-00-07-00500-00, has two one-year options to extend through April 2012. The program's objective is to provide agricultural and business development services to USAID beneficiaries in specific locations in Iraq. The services include introducing high-yielding crop and animal varieties, improving irrigation techniques, and creating jobs in the agricultural sector. Market studies have been conducted to examine the impact of improved sorting and packing on farm gate prices. Significant progress has been made in the program's implementation. Ten feedlots have been constructed, and over 10,000 animals have been introduced to these sites. High-yielding crop and animal varieties are being introduced, and techniques such as drip irrigation are being implemented to reduce water consumption and increase crop yields. The program has also focused on creating jobs in the agricultural sector, with a priority on improving profitability for farmers. In addition to the feedlots, orchards have been planted in January 2009, and market studies have been conducted to examine the impact of improved sorting and packing on farm gate prices. The program has also focused on introducing high-yielding crop and animal varieties, improving irrigation techniques, and creating jobs in the agricultural sector. The program's geographic focus areas include the provinces of Baghdad, Basra, Dhi Qar, and Maysan. The program's activities are being implemented in these provinces, with a focus on introducing high-yielding crop and animal varieties, improving irrigation techniques, and creating jobs in the agricultural sector. The program's performance is being monitored through the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). The PMP outlines the program's objectives, indicators, and targets, and provides a framework for monitoring progress and evaluating the program's effectiveness. The program's progress is being reported quarterly, with this report covering the period from July to September 2009. The program's implementation is being led by Ross Wherry, Chief of Party, and Shehnaz Atcha, Program Manager. The program's technical program is being led by Tracy Atwood, Deputy Chief of Party - Technical Program. The program's progress is being reported to USAID, and the program's performance is being monitored through the PMP. The program's activities are being implemented in collaboration with local stakeholders, including farmers, extension agents, and government officials. The program's goal is to create jobs and improve profitability for farmers in the agricultural sector, and to promote economic diversification and job creation in the provinces of Baghdad, Basra, Dhi Qar, and Maysan. The program's progress is being reported quarterly, with this report covering the period from July to September 2009. The program's next quarterly report will cover the period from October to December 2009.