In June 2023, Pulte Institute researchers visited Capitol Hill to brief Senate Foreign Relations staff and the offices of Indiana’s Sen. Mike Braun and Sen. Todd Young on the impact of the USAID-funded LASER (Long-term Assistance and Services for Research) PULSE (Partners for University-Led Solutions Engine) initiative that supports traditional agriculture in Northern Iraq.
The Institute teamed up with colleagues from Purdue and Indiana Universities, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and the University of Duhok in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Collaborating on ethnographic analysis, cataloging wild plants, and conducting market research on the region’s olive oil industry, the interdisciplinary study supported the restoration of agricultural customs that were threatened among minority groups affected by the Islamic State (IS).
Between 2014 and 2017, Iraq experienced a significant humanitarian crisis due to the rise of the IS. The group captured large areas of Iraq, leading to widespread displacement and a complex humanitarian situation.
During this period, millions of Iraqis were forced to flee their homes to escape the violence and persecution perpetrated by IS. Many sought refuge in other parts of Iraq, while others crossed international borders, becoming refugees in neighboring countries. The displacement crisis had a profound impact on the lives of the affected population, leading to challenges such as lack of shelter, food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and disrupted education.
Efforts since then have focused on stabilizing the country and promoting reconciliation.
“Agriculture is a core component of heritage and plays an important role in re-balancing societies and bringing people together,” Principal Investigator Sean O’Neill said. “A sense of belonging is often tied to agroecological practices. Cultivating this shared knowledge can create stability, foster social cohesion, and improve livelihoods.”
The research centered around people’s identity and what improvements would help them feel secure in their homeland. In recent years, the U.S. Department of State has pushed for culture to be elevated in development work.
“No one lives in only one element,” Pulte’s Innovation and Practice Program Manager Tom Purekal said. “People’s lives occupy many spheres: ethnic, economic, health, faith. That’s why this project was so important; it pushed for development that factored in people’s full identities and took a significant step in uniting communities.”