Hundreds of Iraqi farmers protest outside Finance Ministry over delayed wheat payments

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Hundreds of farmers gathered outside the Finance Ministry building in Baghdad, arriving from multiple cities to demand the immediate disbursement of delayed payments from wheat purchases. The protesters said the holdup has pushed them into serious financial hardship, urging authorities to resolve outstanding files and complete the wheat payments without further delay. Trade Minister Mustafa Nizar al-Ani said on Tuesday that farmers' dues would be paid, according to Iraqi Parliament First Deputy Speaker Adnan Finhan. The Iraqi Cabinet had earlier approved in early May that outstanding and current-season farmer payments be covered through the general budget draft submitted by the Finance Ministry. Dozens of farmers from central and southern Iraqi cities had staged a separate protest in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on May 3 to press their demands. That demonstration was dispersed by security forces. No further information on the latest protest's outcome was immediately available.