Dr. William Moyer, department head of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, spent three weeks in Iraq as part of a special team of consultants tasked with finding ways to rebuild the Iraqi agriculture industry.  Moyer is seen here with a group of Iraqi children whose future lies in the ability of Iraqi leaders to rebuild the nation.

“Peace can not be built on an empty stomach.” That’s the philosophy behind the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M University.

When representatives from the Borlaug Institute assembled a team this June to travel to Iraq and examine ways to help the country’s agriculture industry get back on track, Dr. William Moyer, department head of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, knew he had to answer the call.

“The opportunity to go to Iraq and assess the state of veterinary care and animal health was too important to miss,” said Moyer. “The Iraqi people, by far, are tired of the death and destruction that Al Qaeda and the Taliban bring to the region. They are ready to rebuild and get back to normal.”

While in Iraq, Moyer traveled to farms in the country, as well as to the veterinary college in Baghdad. What he found was both devastating as well as hopeful at the same time.

“Farmers are farmers, no matter what country they are from,” said Moyer. “They just want some good seed, some fertilizer, and some water. The infrastructure, after decades of war, requires a joint effort to re-establish the ability to carry on. I saw Shiite and Sunni working to rebuild their land together in some provinces. That is the future of Iraq. More and more people are starting to join in the effort to regain control of their country and their destiny.”

A small team from the Borlaug Institute of International Agricultur housed at Texas A&M University traveled to Iraq to develop a plan for reinstituting the nation's agriculture industry.

Before the war, Iraq was home to ten veterinary medical schools, with the limited ability to successfully support but one. Moyer spent some of his time developing recommendations for not only rebuilding the college, but redeveloping the profession for a nation in need. It would be one thing to send armies of foreign veterinarians in to address the animal health crisis that many Iraqi farmers are faced with. By giving them a way to educate and provide for their own makes a much bigger impact on the future of animal health.

The Iraqi people have historically depended on chickens, sheep and goats, and the dairy business for animal protein sources. Only recently have they attempted aquaculture; interestingly enough, with farm raised carp. Cattle continue to supply milk, and horses and donkeys are still often used as beasts of burden. What Moyer found when he arrived was an absence of veterinary care for these animals, and very few practicing veterinarians. Animal disease continues to make a significant economic impact on public health and the fragile agriculture industry.

“The need is there for more veterinary professionals, but there is much work to be done to provide a place to educate them,” said Moyer. “My recommendation is to fully rebuild and support a single College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), such as the University of Baghdad, and use the others as satellite clinics. At the present time, the CVM does not have any capacity for animals used in teaching, as the previous ones disappeared as the result of looting during the invasion. Replacing these teaching animals and the re-establishment of a clinical practice are necessary to complete the educational experience. The CVM at the University of Baghdad has already reopened its doors with the faculty and staff doing the best they can with limited facilities for the time being. Fortunately, tuition and other financial needs of the students are provided for.

During his stay in Iraq, Dr. Moyer attended meetings with leaders of producer groups.  These meetings were often held under tents such as seen here.

First and foremost, if there is to be any success in improving the status of animal health and the agriculture industry, the priority has to be security followed by the ways and means to replace/repair the very complex irrigation system. Iraqi people need to have stability and opportunity. That’s what the Borlaug Institute and this team that I am serving on are working with the United States military to do.”

The role of the military in helping to improve the agriculture endeavors in Iraq has been significant. Moyer noted that our soldiers are highly respected members of the communities he visited for the help that they are providing in a dangerous place.

“Every soldier I met, was committed to the mission, couldn’t have been nicer, and is welcomed by the Iraqi people,” said Moyer. “The three weeks I spent in Iraq have made me extremely proud to be an American. I couldn’t have asked to work along side more patriotic and dedicated people. Every one of us needs to remember to express our gratitude to our soldiers serving over there. Because of their efforts, there may be a real shot at having peace for the first time in centuries.”

Finding ways to apply current knowledge and methods in Iraq to improve animal health and the agriculture industry is no easy task, and will take time. Members of the Borlaug team will be involved in this endeavor for some time into the future. However, Moyer says that finding ways to open the “Bread Basket of the Middle East” and make it productive again for everyone is rewarding work.

The Iraqi people depend on sheep and goats for protein and dairy products.  Unfortunately, lack of veterinary care and rampant diseas has put animals and humans at risk.  Dr. Moyer was able to visit many farms and animal operations in Iraq during his three weeks and is now working on a suggested plan of action to improve animal care in this war-torn country.

“My part is so small,” said Moyer, “and there are a lot of people involved in this effort. However, if my involvement helps to rebuild the veterinary medical profession in Iraq into something the Iraqi people can be proud of, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.”

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