WASIT PROVINCE, Iraq - Local Iraqi boys watch as water flows freely from the Tigris River into an irrigation canal Nov. 14, 2010. The water is delivered through a pump station and feeds 1500 area farms. The Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team has overseen recent improvements to the station that included two new generators and several new pumps. US Army photo by Staff Sgt. Garrett Ralston

The Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team, escorted by members of Company H, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment held a meeting with local farmers in the Numaniyah area Sunday.

The farmers recently received new water pumps that pull water from a nearby river into a canal to irrigate local farmland. The meeting was an opportunity for PRT members and US Forces to see the pumps in action and also discuss future management of the pump station.

“The operation of this pumping station has been on and off since 2003,” said Armand Lanier, a PRT agricultural advisor from the United States Agency for International Development. “The station has pumped water through four antiquated pumps that have needed constant maintenance.”

In recent years the station has struggled to pump enough water to supply the 1500 area farms and was costly to keep up. With nobody officially responsible for the station it seemed it would remain out of service. Now with the new pumps and discussions developing between the farmers the station is on its way to effective production once again.

After the PRT assessment, funds were appropriated for two new heavy capacity generators to provide power for the pumps. The new pumps pull water horizontally from tubes that reach out further into the river allowing for greater pressure and more water. The canal now flows at the limit of it banks.

“The PRT plans to meet monthly with the farmers’ Water User Association,” said Lanier. “We want to teach them to be more water conscious which will increase production for them.”

The soldiers of Company H have an essential piece of the development of the area as well.

“Our responsibility is to enable the PRT by getting them out here and making sure they have a safe environment to operate in,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Hubacek, a platoon sergeant in Company H. “We also spend a lot of time with ISF [Iraqi Security Forces] and try to maintain positive relationships with them.”

Hubacek says it is important for USF to be engaged with these processes of Iraqi reconstruction.

“We really want to train the farmers to be better users of their water and agricultural resources,” said Lanier. “We want them to be effective on their own because that’s the aim of these projects.”

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Story by Staff Sgt. Garrett Ralston

Local children play with sheep that are to be distributed to 4500 local farming families throughout Ninewa province as part of a joint venture by U.S. and Iraq to implement a fully encompassed agricultural economy. Photo by Spc. Dustin Gautney

Agriculture has allowed cultures to develop dense populations and has been a means of income for families worldwide.

Currently, Iraq imports 72 percent of its agricultural goods from foreign nations, including Syria and Iran, driving market prices ever higher in a fledgling economy. Recently to remedy the need for Iraq to import the majority of its agricultural, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, “Spartan,” 3rd Infantry Division used funds from its Commander’s Emergency Response Program to create a fully encompassing agricultural foundation that plans to leave a lasting change to the landscape and economy of Iraq.

A civil affairs battalion attached to the 2nd HBCT is teaching Iraqi farmers to adopt efficient grow methods and providing feed pens for livestock as well, according to Sgt. Charles Schoenen, 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion.

To begin the cycle of a fully functional agricultural economic system, two seed purification sites were built, one by the country of Iraq, and another from U.S. CERP funds. From the two locations, the seed purification sites will supply wheat and vegetable seeds for all of Ninewa province.

Seeds that are deemed unusable are taken to Feed Mills, throughout the province, which grinds down the seeds to be used as feed for local livestock and poultry farmers, said Shoenen.

“Some of the additional gains from introducing a complete agricultural economic system are the increase of jobs that are provided at these newly emplaced sights,” said Schoenen. “Each site provides seven to 10 jobs alone, besides the increased income local farmers will gain.”

Also benefiting from the seed purification sites are newly built Drip Farms, which are given to individual farming families. The Drip Farms greatly alter the way Iraqi farmers grow their crops because they use less resources, but yield a greater production from a single growing season. Previously farmers would flood their fields to keep their crops fed, this would cost the farmers greatly because of the water used, and it yielded more potential for damaging crops.

“The Drip Farms have running pipes that slowly drop a small amount of water directly to the crops,” said 1st Sgt. Thomas Watts, 422nd Civil Affairs. “This allows farmers to use much less water for a growing season and save the farmers much less in resource costs.”

Surveying lines at a drip farm, Sgt. Charles Schoenen, 422nd Civil Affairs, witnesses the newly changing agricultural landscape for Ninewa province, in northern Iraq. The farms which are just one part of the newly emplaced agricultural economic system paid for by joint U.S. and Iraq funds, look to make a lasting change for the province. Photo by Spc. Dustin Gautney

In addition to the Drip Farms, local farming families received hoop houses, similar to a green house. This allows farmers to have three growing seasons instead of the current one per year. About 62 hoop houses have been provided to local farmers throughout Ninewa province.

“The hoop houses in combination with the Drip Farms triple the amount of growing seasons for the local farmers, which in turn gives local farmers a great financial boost,” said Watts. “On average a single growing season from a single farm produces around $4,000 a season, now with farmers having the ability to triple that amount; it gives farmers the financial boost needed to build additional hoop houses from their own funds.”

To complete the agricultural system emplaced by U.S. and Iraqi funds, local livestock farmers received 75,000 chickens and 4,500 sheep. This livestock then in turn is fed at feed lots, which receives grain from feed mills. The feed lots provide a central location for local populace to feed their livestock without needing to travel great distances with their livestock to graze on limited grazing fields, said Watts.

“The system which has been emplaced is truly a fully functioning agricultural economic system, from seeds, to the farms, to the markets; this has been one of the grandest and long-term projects to date,” said Schoenen. “The long-term success of this project has the potential to greatly improve the agricultural infrastructure of the country and in turn the overall economy of the country.”

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Story by Spc. Dustin Gautney

Iraq, once a fertile land, has been devastated by drought, war and neglect. Farmers in Ninewa province are looking for relief from a government program called Greenhouse Demonstration, some structures called hoop houses, and an American called “Farmer Fred”.

Fred Woehl, an agriculture specialist for the Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team, has brought hope to the people of Qaraqosh, Nimrud, and Al Qosh through greenhouses, tractors and seedlings.

Before coming to Iraq, Woehl worked in Harrison, Ark., as a Farm Loan Manager for the Farm Service Agency and US Department of Agriculture. Over the course of a year, Woehl has forged relationships by addressing the needs of Iraqi farmers and working with the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture and the Ninewa General Directorate of Agriculture to build greenhouses in the province.

Recently, the PRT held a lottery for the Greenhouse Demonstration, a grassroots organization whose goal is to aid farmers. Lottery recipients in Qaraqosh, Nimrud, and Al Qosh will receive greenhouses – or hoop houses, as they’re locally known – along with training from the Ministry of Agriculture. In return, the farmers will repay a portion of their agricultural profits back to the agriculture associations to help fund additional greenhouses for its members.

The simple design of the metal and plastic hoop house uses the heat from the sun to create a controlled environment to extend the growing season. The farmers of Qaraqosh are excited about Greenhouse Demonstration and hope it will spread to the rest of the Ninewa province. This Qaraqosh group is the first agricultural organization in Iraq diverse in gender, religion and culture.

In Nimrud, farmers formed together in hope of creating a better life in their neighborhood. Recipients of six hoop houses decided to place the structures at one location so they can work together, and provide better security.

Nimrud remains one of the most violent towns in Ninewa. U.S. Forces recently constructed a floating bridge across the Tigris River to make travel easier for USF, Iraqi Security Forces and civilians in the area. The agricultural association there, headed by two shaykhs, one Sunni and one Shi’a, agreed the bridge was very positive for the neighborhood even though attacks have increased since it was built. Association members told Woehl they would report any suspicious activity surrounding the bridge – another sign of the PRT’s successful relationship with Nimrud.

As one meeting began, the Sunni shaykh brought his nine-month-old daughter to sit on Woehl’s lap. His relationship with the shaykh and his agriculture organization has grown since the birth of this child, with Woehl feeling welcomed into the shaykh’s house as a member of the family. He has built similar friendships in the Shi’a community.

“Since the beginning of the war, we are proud to be friends with the U.S., and especially, Farmer Fred,” said the Shi’a shaykh.

Agriculture in Iraq has been neglected for many years, and under Saddam, farmers were told what they had to grow. Once the hoop houses are completed, the General Directorate of Agriculture will show the organization how to successfully make the most use of them. The farmers will soon grow tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, squash, egg plant and okra.

“We are very optimistic about the future of Iraq. We, like everyone else, want a better life for our people,” said the Sunni shaykh.

In Al Qosh, Yazidis, Muslims, and Christian farmers met to discuss the future of their organization and inspect the hoop houses. Women from an all-female agricultural group swarmed Woehl, asking him about opportunities to grow flowers and start their own businesses, while arguing amongst themselves, “We can’t do this – Yes, we can!”

The recent unification, enthusiasm and efforts of the farmers throughout Ninewa province, supported by Farmer Fred’s commitment and passion for the people, has instilled a sense of confidence in the farmers here to overcome their many challenges.

MNF-I

One of the many reasons that desert has claimed so much of the world is that irrigation systems were destroyed by war or left without maintenance. Iraq has a lot of work to do to make up for nearly forty years of neglect. The right earth moving equipment will help a great deal.

A wheeled excavator, donated by U.S. forces, dumps dirt before being loaded onto a flat-bed truck during a meeting on a military compound in Baghdad, July 15. Americans donated the much-needed equipment to the office of the Abu Ghraib Director of Irrigation in an attempt to aid the flow of Middle-Eastern country's water supply. Photo by Sgt. Jeffrey Ledesma

It’s a place that is tainted with seven years of conflict, where dust storms are commonplace, and clean, refreshing water is a scarce commodity.

U.S. forces donated much-needed equipment to the office of the Abu Ghraib Director of Irrigation in an attempt to address the Middle-Eastern country’s water supply issues during a meeting on a military compound in Baghdad, July 15.

Soldiers with Special Operations Task Force – Central and Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 403rd Civil Affairs detachment have been working together to increase the ability of the government of Iraq to continue the reconstruction efforts as the American forces begin to leave Iraq.

After fusing their efforts, Capt. Steve Davies and Capt. Stephen Nemmer were able to acquire and transfer a brand-new wheeled excavator and loader into the hands of concerned Iraqi citizens.

Underneath the scorching sun producing record-high temperatures, a yellow flat-bed truck drove through a fortified gate and rolled over loose gravel to pick up the equipment.

“This equipment will support ongoing initiatives of the Ministry of Water Resources,” said Davies, the SOTF-C civil affairs officer. “The Abu Ghraib Director of Irrigation will be taking possession of this equipment and supervising its use for various capacity-building projects throughout his entire area.”

It is a vast area of responsibility that stretches from Fallujah in the west, to the northern reaches of Abu Ghraib, and south through the Nahia of Yousefiya, continued Nemmer who is also commissioned in the civil affairs branch.

“This project will improve the maintenance capabilities of the Irrigation Department to ensure that the irrigation system continues to provide water along the entire length of the canals,” Nemmer said. “This canal system irrigates over 170,000 donum of farmland.

“Ensuring that the canal system works from beginning to the end will definitely help,” Nemmer concluded.

A representative of the office of the Abu Ghraib Director of Irrigation and Chief of Engineer Hatin Ali said that the department needs the equipment to effectively reopen the canals that have been closed, remove illegal taps that the farmers put on the pipelines, and keep irrigation canals clean in a quick manner.

Before this project became a reality, the captains sat down and did some planning because they wanted to make the largest impact possible during a time when Iraq has taken full responsibility of all aspects of government.

“We discussed several projects, but decided that this equipment would provide the most impact to the reconstruction effort,” Davies recalled. “As the U.S. takes a back seat, the Iraqis are taking the lead and are now shouldering the lion share of the work. We decided that providing capacity-building equipment like this was the best way to equip the Iraqi people who will be continuing the reconstruction efforts over the coming decades.”

Currently there is extensive work being done in order to provide clean drinking water through the construction of water purification plants. According to Nemmer, a large percentage of those facilities draw their water from irrigation canals that the donated excavator and loader will make more efficient.

Davies claimed that the irrigation systems not only will allow for clean water, but will also increase agricultural capacity in an area where the majority of income stems from agricultural production.

“Like most Soldiers here in Iraq, we have sacrificed years away from our family and invested them into the country of Iraq with the hope that our hard work would result in something exceptional,” said Davies whose first deployment was in 2003. “When I first arrived in Iraq I viewed Americans as “us” and the Iraqis as “them.” As I have invested myself in Iraq over the last six years, my perceptions of Iraq have evolved and I have many Iraqi friends that I will remember fondly for the rest of my life.”

Davies stated that he has met many talented Iraqi men who desire to see their country prosper. He said that he is privileged to have a job where he can continue to help the Iraqi people and by doing so he is “taking steps to secure all of the hard work that has been conducted since 2003 and ensure positive results continue into the future.”

“Wanting to be great does not make someone great. Hoping for success does not guarantee success,” Davies explained. “There is a lot of hard work ahead in order for Iraq to move forward.
My hope is that the investments U.S. forces made in Iraq and its leaders will come to fruition and Iraq will be the better for it.”

All of the people involved in the project were in agreement.

Ali remains optimistic that in the future, sooner than later, all the people who left the country will come home and friends who helped build this country will visit a new and improved Iraq. Although they are inevitably going to leave, he hopes coalition forces always remember what they did for the people here.

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Story by Sgt. Jeffrey Ledesma

Most people think of veterinarians as animal doctors, and indeed they are. But the work of a deployed Army veterinarian here shows the specialty involves much more than that.

“My main job here at division is agriculture subject-matter expert,” Army Maj. Freddie Zink explained from his office at Task Force Mountain headquarters.

Zink works regularly with Iraqi veterinarians and farmers, whether it’s helping with vaccinations of farm animals or advising on projects from poultry farms to beehives.

Like many of the other reservists in the 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, Zink brings valuable civilian skills to his job in the Army. He practiced veterinary medicine in Piedmont, S.C., for 20 years before retiring, selling his practice, and accepting a commission in the Army Reserve. After officer training, he volunteered to deploy with the 445th, and is now serving his first tour of duty.

His years of experience help Zink in assessing the needs of Iraq’s many practicing veterinarians. Though agriculture here may not be as high-tech as it has come to be in the United States, Zink said, Iraqi veterinarians need more up-to-date training and better access to supplies to keep Iraq’s farms healthy and prospering.

“They have not had hardly any continuing training in the past 15 years,” he said of the Iraqi veterinarians he has met during his frequent civil-military engagements, where he teaches and supervises new techniques. “There are 10 veterinary schools in Iraq, and really they need one — two at the most.” Though Iraqi schools train as many as 1,000 new veterinarians a year, unemployment in the field is high, he said.

The other challenge, a recurring theme for Iraq’s rural farmers, is access to drugs, vaccines and supplies, Zink said.

But the most vital need in Iraqi agriculture, he noted, is better water management.

“The biggest problem with agriculture right now is getting irrigation canals repaired, getting the pumps fixed and getting the canals lined,” he said. With thousands of miles of river-fed canals supporting farms, maintenance and control can be tricky. “There needs to be some strict enforcement on water resources. Getting water to the farms is very important,” he said.

Zink said he also would like to see locally produced feed for animals. Without such an operation, he said, farmers rely on expensive imports and feed that varies in quality. “We need a feed mill in south-central Iraq that is modern and can provide economical, quality feed,” he said.

Big potential exists in the once-thriving aquaculture industry in southern Iraq, the Army veterinarian said. Fish farming on a large scale relies on not only good water management and inexpensive feed, but also on help from science.

“They have not brought any new genetic [strains] into the aquaculture since 1979, and the fish have poor feed to gain ratios,” he explained. “Just by bringing new genetics in, within two years, the fish experts say, it will increase fish production by 35 to 40 percent.”

Zink said he looks forward to helping to solve some of the challenges while he’s in Iraq.

“[The agriculture infrastructure] just needs a lot of work, and I’ve enjoyed looking at the big picture, trying to see what’s broken and how to fix agriculture in general,” he said.

Zink’s deployment hasn’t been all about agriculture. When the U.S. State Department donated a pair of rare Bengal tigers to the Baghdad Zoo in August, their transportation from the United States to Iraq in the belly of a cargo plane required much care.

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team led the initiative to find the tigers, but when it came to handling the precious cargo, a specialist was needed to look after the animals’ health, and Zink got the call to escort the tigers.

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By Army Sgt. David Turner
Special to American Forces Press Service