Iraq must not depend on its oil fortune only, PM says

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com – Iraq ’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has called on his people on Monday not to depend on the country’s oil fortune only, reiterating necessity to develop the agriculture and tourism sectors.   “ Iraq is the homeland of agriculture and tourism, and it is not right to keep on fully depending on its oil fortune,” Maliki said during his attendance of the Third Agricultural Week, organized by the Iraqi Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources in Baghdad on Monday.   Maliki also reiterated “necessity by the State’s related institutions and staff to concentrate on the said two important resources.”   “The development of agriculture shall achieve a ‘Green Iraq,’ clean environment, rehabilitation of the countryside, achievement of food security for the country, in order to avoid facing a food crisis, that might be very huge,” Maliki said.   In conclusion, the Iraqi Prime Minister said that “ Iraq is able to develop its agricultural sector, within a short period and limited funds, in order to develop it in all   forms and types.”   IT / SKH