Erbil, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will proceed with buying locally produced wheat from farmers through private sector companies, even as Baghdad withholds payments for previous supplies, the head of the KRG’s Investment Board confirmed on Tuesday.

Mohammed Shukri, Chairman of the Kurdistan Investment Board, told Kurdistan24 that despite the federal government’s failure to disburse owed funds, the KRG remains committed to securing this year’s harvest and supporting farmers.

“The wheat produced by Kurdistan Region farmers is one of the most important products the government is committed to buying and marketing,” Shukri said. He noted that the KRG has purchased wheat at above-market rates for the past three years to protect farmers from financial losses.

Through partnerships with two major private firms, Khoshnaw and Qaywan, the KRG is implementing strategic projects in Erbil, Sulaimani, and Duhok to buy wheat directly from farmers at premium prices.

“The entire effort is aimed at preserving farmers’ production and encouraging greater cultivation in the coming years,” Shukri emphasized. He reiterated the KRG’s determination to safeguard domestic food production and ensure agricultural sustainability.