A delegation from the Consular General of Netherlands in Erbil, KRG visited the University of Duhok (UoD) on the 20th of April 2019. The UoD President, Prof. Dr. Mosleh Duhoky, welcomed Mr. Willem Cosijn the Consular General and the rest of the delegation. Mr. Cosijn was accompanied with Mr. Hashi Abdullahi from the Inclusive Green Growth Department and Ms. Melanne Rouw, Manager of Sustainable Development Goals subsidy program and Mr. Aram Abdullah from the consulate.

The aim of the visit was to consult and engage with the key stakeholders who can contribute to the development of the competitive Agro-food Value Chain in the Kurdistan Region that is locally –owned and aligned with Dutch multi-annual country strategy.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the ongoing relations of the UoD with the EU in general and the Consulate General of Netherlands in Erbil in particular, the current projects and the future collaboration. They also focused on several activities that would contribute the aims of both side on Adoption of improved technologies, climate smart agricultural practices, integrated pest management, or value chain weaknesses and access to Market. Identify possible implementing partners (consortium) for agricultural interventions in the KRI. For example: a consortium led by local government organization, private sector organizations (small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s), bigger lead firms, agro-food value chain agents, NGOs and/or knowledge institute. Consult and engage with possible target groups: smallholder farmers and large scale farmers who can afford investments in advance technology and could function as key drivers of innovation and investment.

At the end Mr. Willem Cosijn the Consular General and the companied delegation visited the College of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Duhok and met with the Dean the college Dr. Kamal Noaman Saifuldeen and discussed the above mentioned topics.