Baghdad, The Ministry of Industry and Minerals announced the signing of a contract with a Saudi company to implement a project to manufacture modern irrigation systems. It said in a statement, 'The conclusion of the contract came under the direct guidance and supervision of the Minister of Industry and Minerals, Khaled Battal Al-Najm, to implement the Ministry's plans drawn up in light of the axes of the government program to support the agricultural sector and enhance national production.' It explained that "the contract stipulates the establishment of an integrated project to produce modern irrigation systems with a capacity of (1,500) sprinklers annually and two work shifts per day, which will contribute to supporting the agricultural sector and improving the efficiency of water consumption and will reflect on raising the efficiency of the country's water resources, in addition to contributing to combating desertification and improving the environment." It pointed out that "the project also aims to tran sfer knowledge and industrial experience, localize the irrigation device industry and address water scarcity, as well as maximizing financial resources and employing the workforce." Source: National Iraqi News Agency