Shafaq News- Kirkuk
Payments for last season's wheat crop are underway afterdesignated banks received 70 billion Iraqi dinars ($53.5 million) fordistribution to farmers, the director of Kirkuk Silo said on Thursday, as wheatdeliveries to the Iraqi province's grain silos approached 250,000 tons.
Hassan Hamdi told Shafaq News that wheat deliveries areexpected to increase in the coming days as harvests continue to arrive fromagricultural areas across the province.
Regarding financial dues, Hamdi said procedures todistribute the funds to farmers and grain suppliers have begun under a planaimed at ensuring timely payments. All necessary logistical requirements havebeen provided to accelerate procedures and reduce waiting times, he noted,describing the current wheat marketing season in Kirkuk as successful.
: Iraq’s wheat fields no longer guarantee bread
Farmers from Iraq's main grain-producing provinces recentlystaged protests in Baghdad, demanding the payment of overdue dues, higher wheatprocurement prices, and compensation for flood- and drought-related croplosses. The government later pledged to release outstanding farmer dues andconfirmed higher wheat purchase prices.
: Iraq's farmers fed the state. Now they're waiting to be paid.
