CPA: Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture Assumes Full Authority

Administrator Ambassador L. Paul Bremer today congratulated the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture Dr. Abdul Amir. Al-Abood for his Ministry’s significant advances that led to transitioning to full authority. The transfer is part of the return of control over Iraq’s ministries to the Iraqi people.

“Today the Ministry of Agriculture with all its enormous potential for the people of Iraq is fully vested in Iraqi hands. This marks another step on Iraq’s path to sovereignty, elections and constitutional democracy,” stated Ambassador Bremer.

He remarked that Dr. Al-Abood had formed a smoothly operating team with CPA Senior Advisor Peter King and set about the business of making the Ministry serve the Iraqi people and revitalizing the important agriculture sector.

In the past year, the Ministry of Agriculture has worked to promote rural employment, increase farm income and productivity, and restore vital services to the farm community.

“The Ministry of Agriculture intends to transform Iraqi agriculture into a market based sector in which the Ministry supports farmers, processors and marketers with world class research and development and effective regulations,” said Dr. Al-Abood.

“The agriculture sector is important to Iraq,” continued Al-Abood. “It provides food income to 30 percent of the population and job opportunities to a minimum of 20 percent of the labor force.”

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"The Ministry of Agriculture intends to transform Iraqi agriculture into a market based sector in which the Ministry supports farmers, processors and marketers with world class research and development and effective regulations,” said Dr. Al-Abood."

Monsato, etc. will now be free to take over Iraq's agricultural sector.