There are major changes in livestock production and red meat consumption trends throughout the world, particularly in emerging and developing countries due to various factors. The livestock sector as a source of red meat production has significant potential and an important contribution to the agro-economy development of the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Most of the farm animals are reared in the Sulaymaniyah governorate. Mainly, Cattle (6.7%), Sheep (72.45%), goats (20.7%), and buffalo (0.15%) are the most farm animals in the Sulaymaniyah governorate. Although The area has vast pastures which can make it capable to make progress in the livestock industry, currently livestock farming is declining and the number of large and small ruminants has decreased meanwhile importing animals from abroad for red meat has increased to meet the market demand. Furthermore, a further decline in the number of small and large ruminants may harm the sustainability of the agricultural sector Kurdistan region in general and in particular Sulaymaniyah governorate. This paper reviews ten years (2009 to 2018) records of slaughtered cattle, sheep and goats in Sulaymaniyah governorate, Kurdistan region-Iraq aiming to determine trends in production and consumption patterns of red meat products in Sulaymaniyah city, Kurdistan region and identify opportunities for developing livestock production industry in Kurdistan region.

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The objective of the present work was to estimate water requirements and water use efficiency for Broccoli under normal irrigation conditions and sewage irrigation. Field experiment was carried out during the season 2018 at station/Sulaimni agricultural station/Bakrajo –College of Agricultural Sciences. The experiment included three treatments: River water irrigation in all season growth (I1), Sewage water irrigation in all season growth (I2), Alternate irrigation (one river irrigation followed by two sewage water irrigation) in all season growth (I3). The experimental Design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Broccoli planted under surface irrigation system. Mean irrigation requirement for irrigation management scheduling gave water consumptive use values 442, 432 and 427 mm for river water, sewage water and alternate irrigation, respectively. Average yield Broccoli plant was 32.67, 40.25 and 46.73 Ton ha−1 for river water irrigation, sewage water irrigation and alternate irrigation, respectively. High performance of Alternate irrigation application was mentioned by plant height which record 39, 42 and 46 cm; head diameter 21, 25 and 28 cm; leaf area 306, 329 and 349 cm2 and number of leaves 18, 21 and 22 for river water irrigation, sewage water irrigation and alternate irrigation, respectively. WUEc were 7.39, 9.32 and 10.94 kg m−3 for river, sewage and alternate treatments, respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of these elements did not reach the critical limits in the fruits for all irrigation treatments. This is a positive and good result due to the increase in rainfall rates in this season led to weak accumulation of heavy metals in the soil and poor absorption by the plant.

Chicken meat consumption and demand have significantly increased in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) after 2003, which has led to the growth of poultry production and risen import from abroad. Consumer preferences study can be a determinant factor for poultry production development strategies to fill local demand gaps and global market competition. This study aimed to identify the consumer preference of chicken meat regarding the type, size, parts, marketplace, and other vital aspects considered by consumers when buying chicken meat, and the internal and external factors that affect consumer preference in the chicken meat purchasing choice. A descriptive study was conducted in Sulaymaniyah city, and the data were collected through a structured questionnaire form. This study indicated that 47.7% of the respondents prefer local Kurdish chicken (Mrishki Kurdi). 50% of the consumers in the Sulaymaniyah city prefer to buy whole chicken weighed between (2-3 Kg), 35.4% at the nearest or trusted meat shop, 38.5% at the wet markets, and 69.3% alive chicken slaughtered at the wet market at the time of purchase. Additionally, the internal factors (sensory features and perceptual features) were more dominant (sum total=4.084) than External factors (information, social environment, and physical environment) (sum total=3.599). Conclusions derived from the results suggest that the current study can contribute to a better understanding of consumers and improve the agribusiness value chain in KRI. The results from this study are recommended to examine consumer behavior and preference for agri-foods to build an integrated sustainable food production system based on consumers' needs and demands in the KRI and compete with the imported products.

This experiment was conducted aiming to introduce and select the suitable winter chickpea to Sulaymaniyah governorate climatic conditions. This study was laid out in RCBD design with eight different varieties (namely, FLIP 97-706C, FLIP 03-87C, FLIP 05-74C, FLIP 05-87C, FLIP 05-110C, FLIP 05-142C, FLIP 05-150C, and local Flip1 varieties), each with three replicates. The results indicated that the FLIP 97-706C variety had the highest yield (3531±2.1 kg ha-1), protein yield (390±0.05 kg ha-1), and weight of 100 seeds (39.0±0.05 g), significantly. Additionally, other introduced varieties also gave noticeably higher yields in comparison to the average global chickpea yield. The suggested varieties can have an important role in increasing and improving chickpea production and quality, especially, the FLIP 97-706C can be among the promising varieties with its large seeds, tall habit, and high yield for this area.