Rasool’s Journey to Sustainable Agriculture
Building a sustainable livelihood for himself and his family, Rasool, a 34-year-old agricultural engineer from Nasiriyah, Thiqar Governorate, has turned knowledge into action.
“Life was simple, almost like any graduate without a daily income, and with little planning for the future,” Rasool recalls. Rasool struggled to find stable employment. Like many young graduates in Thiqar, he was affected by high youth unemployment driven by political instability, weak governance, country fragility, limited private-sector opportunities, and climate-related decline in agriculture. These challenges placed financial strain on his family, making it difficult to consistently cover education costs, healthcare, and nutritious food for his children.
Rasool learned through the Agricultural Engineers Syndicate in Thiqar that World Vision Iraq and partner Islamic Relief Worldwide support young graduates through a sequenced pathway from skills development to income generation and family-level impact. With encouragement from his family, Rasool decided to take up the opportunity.
His support was provided under the Resilience and Recovery Pathways for Iraq (RRPI), an alliance of eight organisations: World Vision Iraq, Tearfund, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, People Aid Organization, Aid Gate Organization, and Al-Mesalla, working in Ninewa and Thiqar governorates. RRPI aims to strengthen economic recovery, social cohesion, and climate resilience, with the ultimate goal of improving family stability and children’s well-being.
Starting with Purpose
In June 2025, Rasool joined a three-day training for newly graduated youth from agricultural faculties in Nasiriyah and Chibayish. The training focused on climate-smart agriculture, environmental sustainability, and green business opportunities as a response to climate change, water scarcity, and declining agricultural productivity in southern Iraq. The training was implemented by Islamic Relief Worldwide through a sub-granting agreement with World Vision Iraq, in coordination with the Directorate of Agriculture and the Syndicate of Agricultural Engineers in Thiqar.
Between July and September 2025, Rasool completed a 10-day Business Orientation Programme led by World Vision Iraq, covering climate-smart agriculture, green business, marketing, financial planning, risk management, and business plan development. This training strengthened his professional skills and gave him the confidence to manage his enterprise effectively.
“The support gave me guidance and financial backing for the project, and encouragement from family and friends helped me develop it,” he explains.
Turning Knowledge into Action
Following the training, Rasool was among 11 participants who received business grants from World Vision Iraq to establish agricultural enterprises, including sheep fattening, poultry, dairy, aquaculture, beekeeping, and agro-processing. Structured mentorship and coaching ensured the projects were sustainable and successfully implemented.
The grant marked a turning point for Rasool and his family. Before receiving the support, the household relied on irregular income, making it difficult to meet daily needs for nine family members, including school expenses for younger siblings, college-related costs for his sister, healthcare, and basic needs for his young daughter. Rasool shares, “It has provided a modest income for my family and improved our material living conditions. I can now manage the project confidently and compete professionally in the market.”
Reflecting on this change, Rasool explains: “My own project contributed to creating a tangible and positive change in my family’s financial situation by providing an additional source of income. It strengthened our financial stability and improved our standard of living. When I started earning from my project, the pressure on my parents became less. Now my younger brother and sisters can focus on their education, my sister can continue her college studies without constant financial worry, and I am able to provide better food, care, and daily needs for my daughter. This gives me peace of mind and hope for our future.”
Harvesting the Future
Looking ahead, Rasool hopes to expand his business and create employment opportunities for other young graduates while continuing to provide stability, education opportunities, and a nurturing environment for the children and youth in his family. He encourages others facing similar challenges: “Do not give up. Regardless of initial difficulties or challenges, you can succeed if you stay persistent and dedicated.” He added, “It has been a process of thinking, developing myself, and expanding my abilities.”
He shares a final thought that captures his journey: “The first drop of rain brings growth,” symbolising how this support helped him build a sustainable livelihood and secure a healthier, more hopeful future for his family and children.
Rasool’s journey demonstrates that with opportunities, training, and determination, the youth of Iraq can not only build sustainable livelihoods, but also drive positive change in their communities.