U.S. Universities to Help Iraq Agriculture
USDA will give $5.3 million to a team of U.S. universities to help Iraqi universities' ag training and extension.
Compiled by staff
Published: Dec 15, 2006
With the help of $5.3 million courtesy of USDA, a team of U.S. universities will lend support to Iraqi agriculture, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced Thursday.
The Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization Project will provide agricultural management, production and marketing training for Iraqis, with the aim of strengthening Iraqi universities' agricultural training and extension programs.
The team of U.S. universities will be led by Texas A&M University and will include Washington State University, Utah State University, University of California at Davis, and New Mexico State University. Prairie View A&M University and Dine College are expected to be involved as well. Partnering Iraqi universities, yet to be selected, will come from all parts of Iraq.
"We believe that restoring Iraq's agricultural sector will contribute to overall stability in the country - and the extension system is a tremendous tool to help us achieve this goal," said Johanns.
Agriculture is the second-leading sector of Iraq's national economy, employing a quarter of Iraq's workforce.
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