Quarterly Report (October - December 2009) Inma Agribusiness Program

The program's objective is to grow the agriculture and agribusiness sectors in the provincial, regional, and sub-regional economies. The program is implemented by a consortium led by The Louis Berger Group, Inc. under Contract No. 267-C-00-07-00500-00, which was signed on May 14, 2007. Between May 2007 and December 2009, the Inma program created 4,430 full-time jobs and 31,534 seasonal jobs in agriculture and supporting businesses. Gross sales among Inma partners attained $169.3 million, with another $130 million in sales expected to be earned by June 2010. The program has also mobilized over $12 million in Iraqi equity investment. New industries have been mobilized in Iraq, with 10 investors demonstrating the viability of commercial stock production in feedlots. Five investors have shown that commercial, mechanized alfalfa production is viable, and a dozen more farmers are willing to plant alfalfa for commercial sale. Six training centers are focused on getting two crops a year from 2,600 greenhouses, with training of 2,000 greenhouse operators beginning in January. Greater production for the domestic fresh market has been achieved, with 300 farmers doubling pond-based fish sales without increasing water use. 200 more farmers will be trained by March. Six feed mills have entered a program that will lower poultry and fish feed cost by 16%, benefiting 3,000 members of 42 farm service associations. Farmers have received new varieties of fruit and grapes that allow harvest over 12 weeks, with training for 2,000 orchardmen and viticulturists beginning in January. Iraqi agriculture is moving towards market-based production, with 27 enterprises filing bankable business plans. Inma continues to advise these firms as their plans unfold. 40 farm service associations seek to become businesses, selling chicken and fish feed to their members. Leaders in the livestock, horticulture, and fish industries in six provinces have resolved industry constraints, with Inma continuing to bring producers and government together to address these issues. The Inma program has made significant progress in creating jobs, increasing sales, and mobilizing investment in Iraq's agriculture and agribusiness sectors. The program's focus on market-based production and industry development has helped to promote economic diversification and job generation in the country.