Central Euphrates Farmers' Market Open for Business

An Iraqi boy sorts tomatoes at the newly opened Central Euphrates Farmers’ Market in Mahawil, Iraq, June 12.

Maliki may have declared victory, but its stories like this that prove it:

by Spc. Darryl L. Montgomery

172nd Infantry Brigade

MAHAWIL, Iraq (June 17, 2009) – After two years of planning and building, the Central Euphrates Farmers’ Market here is open for business after a June 12 grand opening.

“The fact that this market is here today demonstrates the cooperation of the Iraqi security forces and the coalition forces,” said Army Brig. Gen. Jerry Lang, 34th Infantry Division deputy commanding general for support. “We hope this model of cooperation you have demonstrated here today will help us bring it to the rest of southern Iraq.”

Sheik Khodaer Abdlhosaen, the market’s director, thanked coalition forces for their efforts in helping to make the market a reality. “We have received a lot of help from the coalition forces,” he said, “and for that, we are finally to the point that we are here for celebration.”

The market has 20 outdoor stalls and 24 indoor stalls, from which farmers will sell their produce to wholesale buyers as well as directly to local retail customers. Revenue from stall rentals will cover the market’s operating and maintenance cost, making the project completely self-sustaining.

The market has a cafeteria, a training room, rest rooms, a small kitchen, guard rooms and a rest area for drivers who deliver the goods for sale. The market’s board of directors is half Sunni and half Shiite, and the market will employ former “Sons of Iraq’ civilian security group members to serve as security guards.