Farmers Demonstrate in Baghdad Demanding Support for Agricultural Sector

Dozens of farmers demonstrated in central Baghdad, raising nine demands they described as legitimate to enhance and support the agricultural sector, which is considered one of the largest sectors in attracting job opportunities in the country. The head of the Farmers' Associations in Diyala stated that dozens of farmers from Diyala and a number of other governorates demonstrated in central Baghdad, demanding a package of rights that represent the core of farmers' suffering. He explained that the most prominent demands included canceling the wheat crop pricing for the year 2026, to ensure fair treatment of farmers and achieve pricing justice, in addition to expediting the payment of farmers' dues for the year 2025 without any delay, and securing marketing amounts for the current season to ensure organized receipt of crops. He added that the demands also included disbursing compensation for damages resulting from accidents and floods, canceling arbitrary procedures related to the marketing file, as well as including actually cultivated lands even if not covered by official contracts in a fair marketing plan that reflects the true agricultural reality. He pointed out that among the demands was also increasing agricultural yield in proportion to production costs, postponing loans and dropping lawsuits filed against farmers in consideration of the difficult economic conditions, in addition to canceling electronic reservation, and disbursing 2019 flood compensation for orchard and farm owners, especially in Diyala. He affirmed that these demands are legitimate and reflect the concerns of a wide segment of farmers, noting that agriculture represents a fundamental pillar in food security strategy, and attracts no less than 50% of the workforce, warning that demonstrations will continue in the absence of serious interaction with farmers' demands.