Empowering Farmers through Innovation

Abu Omar, a seasoned farmer with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering, owns a plot of land in the Radwaniyah district, south of Baghdad. His farm was selected as a demonstration site for a Farmers Field School (FFS) under the ITC-supported project implemented by Al-Aghsan Foundation in coordination with the Directorate of Agricultural Extension.

Despite his extensive background in cultivating various strategic crops and vegetables, Abu Omar describes this experience as transformative. “This project introduced me to an entirely new dimension in agriculture—industrial potato production using subsurface drip irrigation and solar-powered water pumping,” he explains.

For the first time in the area, industrial potatoes were cultivated using a combination of modern irrigation techniques and renewable energy, resulting in significantly improved yield, quality, and resource efficiency. Abu Omar was particularly impressed by the reduction in water usage and operational costs, thanks to the use of solar energy to power irrigation systems.

Encouraged by the project’s success, Abu Omar now plans to scale up potato cultivation across his entire farm. His enthusiasm has also inspired neighboring farmers, many of whom have expressed interest in adopting the same approach after witnessing its tangible benefits.

Looking ahead, Abu Omar aims to apply these techniques to his greenhouse and open-field vegetable production. Given his expertise, leadership, and respect in the community, Abu Omar is now being considered for a role as a local trainer, helping to spread innovation and modern agricultural practices to a wider group of farmers in upcoming vocational training programs.

His story exemplifies how targeted support, sustainable technology, and local leadership can come together to create lasting impact in agricultural development and climate-smart farming in Iraq.