Kirkuk Business Center plants seed for agricultural development

The Kirkuk Business Center planted seeds for a greater economy in the Kirkuk Province during an agricultural conference attended by over 250 farmers in the region Wednesday and Thursday.

The Kirkuk Business Center, with assistance from Soldiers on the Provincial Reconstruction Team from the 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, helped plant seeds for a greater economy in the Kirkuk Province during an agricultural conference attended by over 250 farmers in the region Wednesday and Thursday.

The primary goal for the initial conference was for provincial leaders to gather information and gain an understanding of local farmer's concerns and to help build a foundation for future conferences and future solutions. The business center and Soldiers hope to assemble a conference every two months. Topics such as soil, seeds, fertilizer and irrigation, were discussed.

The idea for the conference became a reality as the Kirkuk Business Center designed banners, prepared invitations, contacted local venues to provide alternate information. The center involved local universities, the local farmer's union, and other organizations in the coordination meetings to help develop the topics for discussion, speakers, the information presentation, and the agenda for the conference.

According to Cpt. Steve Taylor, a Civil Affairs Officer on the economic team, the series of conferences will help regional farmers by providing them with knowledge, modern farming techniques, and potentially new equipment. The business center will use issues raised in each conference to plan to topics of discussion, subject matter experts to speak, as well as which type of venues to invite to the following conference. With each conference targeted towards the farmer's needs, Taylor believes, the knowledge needed for an economic base will be developed.

The results of the conferences are long term, Taylor stated. But he is confident that the agricultural community will continue to improve as long as The Kirkuk Business Center continues to help improve the agricultural and economic base in the province.

"We will probably get the results we are looking for within 2-5 years," Taylor commented. But he is confident that the series of conferences will provide the farmers with the knowledge to improve their seed and crop quality through time.