After the re-opening the University of Sulaimani  in 1992, the College of Agricultural Sciences (previously named College of Agriculture) was one of the first Colleges that swung open its doors for students on November 15th, 1992. There were several reasons behind the decision of reopening the College of Agriculture first. Kurdistan Region is basically an agricultural country with a vast area of arable land and adequate water resources. More than 50% of its population works in agriculture. Cattle breeding and farming have always been an important sector of the region's national product, given political stability, Kurdistan is capable of producing enough food to assure the food security of the region; therefore, training specialists in all fields of agriculture is of vital importance for the region. 

Out of 983000 hectares of land in Sulaimani Governorate, approximately 306000 hectares (31.2%) are cultivated with strategic crop plants such as wheat, barley, chickpeas, lentil, sunflower, tobacco, cotton, sesame, peanut, rice, and broad bean. The soil of these cultivated lands is of high fertility and organic matter. The climate is suitable for dry farming activities annually during October-June due to the availability of adequate precipitation (more than 750 mm annually). In addition, water resources are available for summer cultivation activities during spring and summer. The daily thermal degree available for crop growth is more than 2600 degrees; total solar radiation is more than 22 Mega Jules M-² Day-¹.

Since its establishment, the Crop Science Department is involved in conducting research to improve the crop productivities in Sulaimani Region. Research activities extend to the introduction of new germplasms, improving cultural practices, crop fertilization, practicing intercropping, pasture land survey and improvement, and the introduction of new crops. Moreover, the Department also incorporated in postgraduate studies, i.e.  High Diploma, M.Sc. & Ph.D. programs in the improvement of crop productivities, crop physiology, crop breeding, and plant phytochemistry, however, the four years B.Sc. study is involved in the qualifying graduate as an Agricultural Engineer in crop science.

About the Department:

The Department of Crop Science is the oldest Department in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Currently being the largest Department both in terms of the number of programs and student population. At this time, the academic staff of the Department is comprised of (51) members, including (2) Professors, (15) Assistant Professors, (13) Lecturers, (19) Assistant lecturers and (3) M.Sc. holders. Concerning the higher education study, since the reopening in 1992 Crop Science Department gave (31) Ph.D. Degree and (77) M.Sc. Degree and (7) Diploma Degree in the different area of Crop Science and has (5) Ph.D. and (1) M.Sc. Students aboard.

Scientific Promotion 

Head of the Department Speech (Mission and Vision):

Studies at the Crop Science Department are related to the crop improvement throughout the fields of plant biotechnology & molecular genetics, plant breeding, plant physiology, plant tissue culture, investigating plant secondary products and biological weed control. Agronomic researches by the Department staff are being carried out in the College fields in Bakrajo and Qlyasan.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Crop Science at the University of Sulaimani is to generate, integrate and apply the knowledge about crop plants that are grown for food, feed and the general benefit of humankind. It can be achieved through the integration of teaching, research and extension/outreach efforts. We try to find and disseminate answers to problems and discover opportunities concerning the efficiency and sustainability of production especially in the coming uncertain environment, in addition to improve the product quality. We work to ensure that agricultural systems and products in Kurdistan region are able to meet the steadily demand for food due to the population increase and assuring the food security of Kurdistan Region for the next generations.

Vision

To be in the future the Kurdistan's region top College in Agricultural Sciences to drive the economic situation in  Sulaimani Governorate,  being the important supplier for the sustain and healthy food. Indeed, our vision is to establish the national gene bank for the whole crops’ germplasm and to set up the top Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory in the College, equipped with all tools and instruments required. We also plan to update the studying programs of all undergraduate courses related to our Department to be more comparable with other Crop Science partners in the developed countries.

 Teaching Staff of Crop Science Department (2018/2019)

Program Credit for undergraduate study:

The following Tables show the details of programs units for undergraduate study of the Crop Science Department. The Credits for four years of B.Sc. Degree are (141) in total.

 First Year: First Semester

 First Year: Second Semester

Second Year: First Semester

Second Year: Second Semester

Third Year: First Semester

 Third Year: Second Semester

Fourth Year: First Semester

Fourth Year: Second Semester