Attachments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In May 2025, Aid Gate Organization (AGO) conducted a Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) in Sinjar District, Ninewa Governorate, to inform the design of targeted interventions supporting agricultural livelihoods and agri-business development. This assessment was carried out in preparation for the proposed project under the UNDP Building Resilience through Employment Promotion (BREP) programme, with a focus on promoting sustainable employment, climate-smart agriculture, and inclusive economic recovery.
The assessment adopted a mixed-methods approach, including eight Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with agricultural experts, local farmers, and officials from the Directorate of Agriculture, and two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with youth farmers (aged 18–29), disaggregated by gender. The respondents included returnees, host community members, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), ensuring a diverse and representative sample.
Findings revealed that while Sinjar has agricultural potential particularly in wheat, barley, vegetables, olives, and livestock its rural economy remains fragile due to recurring droughts, water scarcity, limited access to modern techniques, and weak institutional support. More than 80% of farmers rely on traditional irrigation methods and outdated practices, while access to subsidized inputs, extension services, and financial support remains minimal. Additionally, only a small fraction of farmers is organized into cooperatives, limiting their market access and collective capacity.
Women, youth, and returnees face additional barriers, including limited land ownership, cultural constraints, and unresolved land disputes. Despite these challenges, there is a high level of interest among farmers in adopting climate-smart agriculture, participating in cooperatives, and receiving combined technical and business training to improve productivity and market competitiveness.
The assessment concludes with key recommendations, including promoting inclusive support for women and youth through targeted schemes and group formation; scaling climate-smart agriculture practices through training and on-farm demonstrations; and strengthening the institutional capacity of the Directorate of Agriculture and farmer cooperatives. These findings and recommendations will directly inform the design and implementation of AGO’s proposed intervention in Sinjar.