Sulaymaniyah: The European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Iraq’s federal authorities and the Kurdistan Regional Government, have inaugurated Iraq’s first gene and seed bank in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. The facility was opened under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, marking a significant step in conserving plant genetic resources and preserving agricultural biodiversity in the country.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the opening of the gene bank represents a milestone in national efforts to protect Iraq’s plant genetic resources, enhance their resilience to climate change, and support food security and scientific research. The facility is part of the “Restoring and Strengthening the Resilience of Agricultural Food Systems in Southern Iraq” project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the FAO. This initiative aims to fortify smallholder farmers in Basra, Maysan, and Dhi Qar governorates and solidify national infrastructure for managing agricultural genetic diversity.
During the inaugural ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani highlighted the gene bank as an investment for the future and a legacy for upcoming generations, emphasizing the responsibility to protect agricultural resources. Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Begard Talabani described the bank as a strategic milestone for Iraq’s agricultural sector, crucial for preserving the nation’s unique plant genetic resources and enhancing food security.
Mithaq al-Khafaji, Technical Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, noted that the Sulaimaniyah gene bank, along with the rehabilitation of the National Gene Bank in Baghdad, represents a significant investment in Iraq’s agricultural future. He explained that the previous facility in Abu Ghraib, established in 1977, required modernization to meet current conservation standards. The Kurdistan Region, home to over 70% of Iraq’s plant genetic resources, makes the Sulaimaniyah facility essential for protecting and utilizing this diversity in agriculture and research.
Wim Riebma, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Iraq, stated that the EU is proud to fund this initiative, highlighting its importance for preserving a shared global heritage and investing in the resilience of Iraqi food systems for future decades.
The gene and seed bank is situated on a 25-hectare site in Hawari Shar Park, provided free by the Sulaimaniyah Municipality. Designed to international standards, it includes specialized seed vaults, laboratories, and training spaces powered by renewable energy.
In tandem with establishing and upgrading the gene banks, the FAO has been strengthening national capacities for the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources through training programs and developing a national strategy. This strategy aims to integrate Iraq into international networks focused on conserving genetic resources.
FAO Representative Salah El-Hajj Hassan praised the new bank as a critical step in conserving Iraq’s plant genetic resources and agricultural biodiversity. He commended the partnership between various governmental bodies and the FAO, underscoring the organization’s commitment to supporting Iraq in preserving its agricultural heritage and promoting sustainable development.
This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 2 on ending hunger, SDG 13 on climate action, and SDG 15 on life on land. It also supports the UN Framework for Cooperation for Sustainable Development in Iraq and the FAO Country Programming Framework by promoting sustainable agricultural systems and enhancing resilience to climate change impacts.