Kurdistan Region Aims to Boost Dairy Production Amid Economic Diversification Efforts

The Kurdistan Region is taking significant steps to expand its dairy production capabilities, currently producing nearly 300,000 tons of fresh milk annually, which fulfills only half of the region's demand. Firas Siddiq, representing the General Department of Livestock Assets in the Kurdistan Region's Agriculture Ministry, highlighted that dairy cattle projects have surged by 21% during the term of the 9th cabinet. With 91 licensed dairy factories, the total production stands at 285,000 tons, supported by approximately 16,000 dairy cattle. To fully meet domestic requirements, production needs to rise to 500,000 tons annually. In anticipation of increasing the output to nearly 400,000 tons with the commencement of new projects, provisional approvals have been extended to Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaimani, with final government endorsements awaited. Dairy cattle typically have a productive milk output lifespan of six years. The Kurdish market remains heavily reliant on animals from Iran and Syria, as well as imported dairy products, to satisfy local demand. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) emphasizes the development of agriculture as a strategy to enhance economic resilience, reducing the overdependency on oil revenues.