The Iraqi Agriculture Ministry revealed today a plan that focuses on granting agricultural loans to develop palm groves and increase the production of crops during the season.
Ministry adviser Faisal Rashid Nasser said: "The plan includes granting 10bn IQD for the development of orchards and raising the sale price of dates marketing.
"The ministry decided to grant agricultural loans to build world-class warehouses to store date crops. The ministry is supporting farmers and spreading agricultural awareness among the owners of palm groves in order not to convert them to residential or commercial areas."
During the past season the total production of dates in Iraq reached 140,000 tons and more than 30,000 tons were damaged due to poor storage.
The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated 750m IQD to rehabilitate palm groves in Baghdad, Diyala, Babil, Karbala, Basra and Dhiqar.
The general authority of palms of the Agriculture Ministry earlier objected to the financial allocations for this year of 2bn IQD and demanded at least 4bn IQD to be allocated.