President Michael Martin joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns in Iraq in August 2006 to discuss the rehabilitation of that country’s agricultural extension system.

This is the second high-profile international visit the president has taken. In fall 2005, he joined Gov. Bill Richardson on a trip to North Korea to discuss that country’s agriculture. Martin’s background as an agricultural economist and his extensive experience with land-grant universities are seen as assets in these efforts, officials say.

“There’s a real opportunity for us to make a difference in rebuilding Iraq by working closely with our colleagues in agriculture to revitalize that important sector,” Martin says. “It’s also clear to me that American universities – particularly land-grant universities – have a role to play in this rebuilding effort.”

Johanns and Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Salam Zukam Ali Zawba signed a joint statement of intent to strengthen and broaden Iraq’s agricultural extension system and universities through partnerships between universities in both countries.

“The agenda outlined by the Iraqi government and Secretary Johanns really does offer great hope for progress in a sector that’s essential to this country economically, culturally and socially,” Martin said in a news teleconference from Baghdad. “We are ready to go and look forward to participating in what will certainly be a bold and important move as we seek to create peace through building bonds with our fellow citizens around the world in agriculture, particularly in Iraq.”

Johanns and Martin spent 10 hours meeting with senior Iraqi officials and agricultural producers. Following the meetings, the group ate with troops from Iowa and Nebraska at Camp Victory in Baghdad.

Asked why he feels so strongly about NMSU’s participation in a humanitarian rebuilding of places devastated by war or natural disasters and what he expected to gain from it, Martin says, “Sometimes you do something because it’s for the good of others.”

The president also says it’s important to understand that “we are not sending students to this area as part of any agreement. We are not putting people in harm’s way. It is likely people from the Middle East will be coming here.”

The initiative will partner U.S. land-grant colleges and universities, such as NMSU, with agricultural universities in Iraq to work together in various areas, including wheat and rice production, animal health initiatives and water management.