The Sheikh Jamal’s Braw farm, in Karbajna village, Sulaymaniyah province has become part of the Lighthouse Farms global network— an international recognition for local agricultural excellence. This milestone was marked during a recent ceremony attended by Dutch Consul General, Adriaan IJsselstein and KRG Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Begard Talabani, which demonstrates the increasing cooperation on agriculture and sustainable food systems between the Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region.
Beeld: © LAN Erbil
From right to left: Minister of Agriculture, Begard Talabani; Dutch Consul General, Adriaan IJsselstein; and local farmer, Sheikh Jamal.
Farmer number 13 worldwide
"I am extremely thankful that WUR and Lighthouse Farm visited my farm and selected me as Farmer Number 13, making my farm the first in the Middle East to be included in this network. I have a great opportunity to interact and share knowledge with farmers worldwide due to this recognition," Shekh Jamal said in a press conference.
Having worked in agriculture since 1962, Sheikh Jamal has transformed Braw Farm into a breeding ground for climate-resilient crops that are tailored to the region. The farm has created two certified wheat varieties, one pepper variety, and twelve tomato varieties. These varieties are appropriate for low-input farming systems and catered to regional tastes.
Beeld: © LAN Erbil
Sheikh Jamal farm during the visit of an Expertisecentrum GebiedsGewijs delegation to the region.
Focus on climate resilience and sustainable agriculture
The inclusion of Braw Farm in the Lighthouse Farm Network highlights the importance of farmer-led innovation. In order to foster peer-to-peer learning, advance sustainable production systems, and increase the shift to more resilient food systems, the network connects top farms across across the world.
“It is inspiring to see how local farmers like Sheikh Jamal are leading the way in sustainable agriculture. He is creating climate-resilient varieties by his dedication and hard work," said Consul General IJsselstein.
Minister Talabani highlighted that they are pleased with the collaboration and partnership, they are encouraged by positive results among Kurdish farmers, connecting them to global networks and demonstrating their skills. Additionally, she highlighted the strong partnership between the Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region in the agricultural sector, particularly in the production of potatoes, and she expressed hope that this collaboration will eventually spread to other subsectors.
Beeld: © LAN Erbil
The official meeting of H.E. Begard Talabani, Minister of Agriculture, and Adriaan IJsselstein, Consul General of the Netherlands.
Strengthening Dutch–Kurdish cooperation
The recognition of Braw Farm is a sign of the growing and stronger agricultural cooperation between the Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Partnerships focus on sustainable agriculture, improving food systems, water management, and private sector development, with sharing knowledge as a key part.
The Lighthouse Farm Network and other similar projects help the region's agriculture grow and become more resilient in the long term by linking local experts with global networks.
More information
For more information, visit Lighthouse Farm Network.
You can also reach out to the Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) team in Erbil via: erb-lvvn@minbuza.nl.