Embassy of the United States

Embassy Offices

Office of Agricultural Affairs

Mission

Develop a regionally competitive and sustainable agricultural and food sector in Iraq and to promote international trade agriculture.

People

The Office of Agricultural Affairs located in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, is the overseas arm of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Office of Agricultural Affairs is part of the FAS global network of agricultural economists, marketing experts, negotiators, and other specialists stationed in more than 90 countries to support U.S. agricultural interests.

In addition to a presence the Embassy, there are currently 26 USDA employees assigned to Provisional Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) throughout Iraq. PRT Agricultural Advisors focus on strengthening a local province's agricultural infrastructure, both physical and institutional. Projects directly assisting farmers have been developed with local officials in irrigation, animal health, soil and range management, vegetable production, food processing, and in building farmer organizations.

Activities

USDA bases its current role in Iraq on the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA). For example, USDA's agricultural extension program is mentioned in the SFA as part of our broader cooperation in education. We are also committed to helping Iraqi farmers 'generate higher incomes' through programs in 'agribusiness, agricultural extension, and policy engagement.'

Please also see:

• Rebuilding Agriculture and Food Security in Iraq
• Reports  - Agriculture worldwide, Iraq included 

FAS is working in close partnership with other agencies in the U.S. government to assure the food security of the people of Iraq right now and for the future.

For more information about FAS, please contact:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of Agricultural Affairs
American Embassy, Baghdad, Iraq
Phone: 1-240-553-0581 extension 2051

Email: baghdadag@state.gov
or visit the Foreign Agricultural Service