The horticultural sector in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is seeing a growing shift towards protected cultivation. To ensure a stronger market position and compete with imports, we are launching a pilot project focused on business and value chain improvements, going beyond ongoing developments in cultivation practices.
A collaborative project to enhance tomato and cucumber value chains
Funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and supported by the Netherlands Consulate General in Erbil, this pilot project aims to improve cooperation, efficiency, profitability, quality and sustainability along the tomato and cucumber value chains in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate. Building on a previous needs assessment conducted in 2024, the project will run until the end of 2026, fostering collaboration between value chain stakeholders and implementing improvements based on identified market needs and opportunities.
The project brings together entrepreneurial farmers, traders and customers from various market segments, alongside selected input suppliers. These value chain partners will jointly develop intervention plans tailored to specific products and market segments. The plans may include activities such as grading, packaging, labelling, exploring new varieties, ensuring food safety and even storytelling and branding strategies. A key factor is that all interventions will be based on market needs and will be mutually agreed.
Practical and hands-on guidance
The project will kick off with sessions designed to build a common understanding of value chain principles, post-harvest management and effective cooperation between farmers and traders. The focus will then be on guiding and monitoring the agreed intervention plans and actions, providing coaching sessions, solving challenges and facilitating meetings among participants. Domestic market exposure visits are also an integral part of the learning experience, allowing participants to learn from each other.
HollandDoor Cooperative U.A. is partnering with Green Solutions and local experts in the implementation of this project.
For more information please contact Engelie Beenen
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