When the great unwashed think of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region or Iraq , greenhouse horticulture may not be the first thing that comes to mind . Yet there are opportunities in the region , observes Adriaan IJsselstein , who late move to Iraq ’s Kurdistan Region as consul - general . " Here , Holland stands for quality and respectable knowledge . It may require more patience than in the Netherlands , but there are emphatically chance . "
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is an sovereign realm , and has been a beacon of relative repose and stableness even in turbulent times , Adriaan says . Not only that : it is also home to quite a few Dutch mass , include those who fled to the Netherlands after the wars and subjugation at the end of the 1900 ’s and devolve to the orbit as entrepreneurs with Dutch passport after 2003 , as well as other Dutch entrepreneurs . Hence , the family relationship with the Netherlands is intense and positive and has already resulted in singular developments . For instance , partially thanks to the Dutch potato sector , the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has farm from an importer of Irish potato products to an exporter of chips to the Middle East . Local murphy production has increase in about a decennary from a few thousand tonnes a year in 2012 to at least 600,000 metric ton in 2024 .
Adriaan list the contributions of Dutch seminal fluid potato , noesis exchange , and Dutch technology in planting , harvest home , and processing , all the elbow room to the crisps and chips mill . " That sphere is now going very well , provide jobs for many people , and that is thanks to Dutch input . We are now working closely together to make cultivation and processing more sustainable . The Netherlands still exports seed potatoes here , but this region has grown from importer to exporter of Fry , among other thing . "
The vegetable sphere could go through a similar growth . While the nation has extensive yield , the matching of tomato production , for case , to market demand is not proficient . " There is no deficiency of a full harvest , but that is only once a year - and then the market supply is abundant and one - sided , " Adriaan delineate . " variegation , quality of yield , packaging , storage and transport is still in its infancy , so much of the production is lose . And when the season ends , it is imported again from surrounding countries like Turkey and Iran . "
The same is straight of the cosmetic horticulture sector , which is still in its babyhood . Although the huge legal age of the local supply of flowers and plant number from the Netherlands , there is also a local rose nursery and other small-scale - scale ornamental growing initiatives .
" During the point when air traffic was hard , this resurrect nursery was able to persist in supply . Dutch techniques could help further improve polish , and promote the sustainability of culture . "
The political science also encounter these opportunities . The regional government is invest to diversify the economic system through agriculture in particular . Moreover , with 6.5 million inhabitants in the Kurdistan Region itself , and with 46 million inhabitants in federal Iraq , there is an copious market .
" The country of Iraq as a whole get a lot of money from oil . But that is not sustainable and provides comparatively few jobs . Besides , the governing want to be less subject on other countries for their food provision . " That is why investment is being encourage by the Iraki governing . Not so much with a bag of money , but by facilitating task and supporting enterpriser .
The Kurdistan Autonomous Region is already home to many small and some great " greenhouse " horticultural go-ahead . Film tunnels are scattered throughout the region , in particular around Sulaymania and Erbil , but more professional greenhouses also survive . These include tomato and cucumber vine nursery and propagator , often fit with Turkish fabric .
" There are many preconception about this region , but the Kurdistan Autonomous Region government ’s trade relations with neighboring country are good . Turkey is vest a lot in this region and is very active in construction and infrastructure . And there are Turkish provider active , including in horticulture . Only - and this is our strength - the Netherlands is powerfully assort with cognition and quality . " For instance , a Dutch - Kurdish enterpriser is presently finalize a nursery building project together with Dutch investments and a Dutch greenhouse detergent builder . This project has been promote by the Dutch government , partly to show how better crop outcome can be achieved with less water pulmonary tuberculosis .
" piss is available , but its use could be much more efficient , " Adriaan says .
And that applies to many things , Adriaan outlines . " There is flavorless land available , there are enough prole - but it needs investment , " he says . " In the area of knowledge and also in areas such as trade union movement law and sustainability because there are big footstep to be made in those orbit too . you’re able to see that Dutch entrepreneur can play an exemplary persona by provide breeding and good employment contracts , for example . "
It is clear that despite not being based in the area for long , Adriaan view the potential . " The greenhouse gardening sector here is still in its early childhood , and doing occupation here is different from in the Netherlands . The banks process other than , and you are not done with a good offer and three speech sound call . It requires a more adventuresome attitude , more patience , more cup of Camellia sinensis , and evening meal , but then there are interesting opportunity . "
For more information : Dutch consulate general in Erbil , Iraq3rd Floor Star TowerGulan StreetErbilIraq[email protected ]
© FloralDaily.com/Arlette Sijmonsma
