Plant Protection Department

Historical Overview

The Department of Plant Protection was established in 1972 by merging the divisions of Plant and Crop Protection in a step to reshape the departments of the College of Agriculture at that time. The department is concerned with planning to apply the latest findings of sober scientific research in terms of means to protect agricultural production from the danger of agricultural pests of all kinds. Master’s study was founded in 1964, and since that year it reached the number of graduates in postgraduate studies to obtain a master’s degree is 308 students, and 102 students obtain a doctoral degree. Graduate students have been provided with applied and scientific expertise in managing various agricultural projects, whether governmental or in the private sector. At this time, the department aspires to make more efforts by keeping pace with scientific progress in the field of managing the agricultural process. It also hopes to graduate new generations of students with the best experiences to involve them in the process of building our homeland. Graduate students number in 1963 was 9 students.

Vision, Message and Objectives

Vision:
To ensure the protection and sustainability of plant resources for the benefit of current and future generations. We aim to control various pests that affect plants and products using safe, eco-friendly agrochemicals to maintain a healthy environment.

Message:
By teaching staff with scientific qualifications, the department seeks to disseminate knowledge and its applications and develop pest management skills to achieve a balanced agricultural environment. It ensures community food security and sustainability by preparing qualified agricultural engineers in plant protection and doing scientific research and related studies to enhance plant protection applications.

Objectives:
The Plant Protection Department aims to:
1- Prepare qualified graduates to pursue their skills and professional developments in plant protection aspects by providing scientific and practical courses and developing them continuously to meet the requirements of the community and the labor market regarding how to use pesticides properly along with integrated pest management by introducing modern applications and using biological control to reduce the economic losses that cause by pests.
2- Working with the public and private sectors, farmers, various organizations, and individuals to develop applications used for plant protection.
3- We are organizing and holding conferences, symposiums, courses, workshops, seminars, and field visits that enhance the preparation and implementation of integrated pest management programs in the aspect of plant protection.
4- Participate with the relevant scientific departments in Iraqi and Arab universities and international universities to prepare an integrated knowledge system in plant protection for the sake of the environment, sustainable development, and achieving food security.
5- Defining goals and requirements and developing graduates to place them in their specialization through providing scientific consultations and developing solutions to any potential implementation.