Kurdistan Region and CIHEAM Bari Launch KORES Project to Transform Olive Sector and Rural Development
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (CIHEAM Bari) on 12 February 2025 in Italy, the KORES project was launched to develop rural areas of the Kurdistan Region and to promote the sustainable development of the olive sector and its value chain.
On Sunday, 6 July 2025, Mrs. Begard Talabani, Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, participated in the launch activities and joint workshops of the KORES project. The event was attended by the Director General of Horticulture, Forestry, and Rangeland, along with other directors, and several farmers involved in the sector. Minister Talabani emphasised the Ministry’s full support for the project, outlining its objectives to enhance olive and olive oil production and to introduce advanced horticultural systems by strengthening the capacities of farmers and entrepreneurs in the olive sector.
This project is supported financially, technically, and through consultancy by CIHEAM Bari in Italy. It was initiated following the International Forum on Economic, Trade and Agricultural Industry between the Kurdistan Region and the Italian Government, during which the Ministry presented several proposals to advance environmental greening efforts, strengthen food security, combat climate change, and develop the olive sector and its entire value chain in the Kurdistan Region.
It is worth noting that, upon completion of all phases of this project within a year, the Kurdistan Region is expected to reach a significant and historic milestone in the olive sector. This will encompass advancements in olive and olive oil production, industrial processing, branding and marketing, improvements in olive variety, quality, and the introduction of modern olive grove cultivation. In the future, these developments will enable the strategic and large-scale cultivation and production of olives across the Region.
