Iraq is facing the biggest agricultural crisis in its modern history

Iraq is facing one of the most severe agricultural and livestock crises in its recent history. According to local publication Al Araby, the situation is rapidly deteriorating: massive livestock deaths are being caused by increasing water shortages, primarily due to a sharp reduction in the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Thousands of Dead Animals

Thousands of livestock have died due to a lack of feed and dried-up pastures. In the southern regions, fish stocks on commercial farms have declined by 60%, and cultivated land by 50%, according to local estimates.

Marshes are drying up completely

The Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources reported that water inflows from upstream countries have significantly decreased, leading to the almost complete drying of marshes in the provinces of Dhi Qar, Muthanna, and Basra.

“Vast areas have been turned into barren lands, leading to the mass death of buffalo, fish, and poultry,” the statement noted.

The consequences have already caused a large-scale social crisis: farmers in Muthanna, Di Qara, and Meysan are losing their livelihoods en masse and are migrating to cities in search of work.

The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Marshlands confirms that the country is experiencing one of the most serious livestock crises, primarily due to water shortages. The ministry warned that the current agricultural season is “on the brink of collapse.”

According to Ibtisam al-Hilali, a member of the committee, farmers in some areas have lost up to 70% of their livestock.

Sharp Price Rise Nationwide

According to Karim al-Hilu, prices for dairy and meat products have increased by 25-40% nationwide.

However, there is no official data yet on the full impact of water shortages on livestock production.

Sharp Reduction in Feed Production

Severe water shortages over the past two years have led to a significant reduction in feed production in Iraq, according to Walid Mohammed Razooqi, Director General of the Livestock Department at the Ministry of Agriculture. He confirmed that this is the worst crisis in the sector in decades.

Ministry promises emergency measures

Razooqi stated that the ministry has begun restoring some pastures and increasing feed production. Plans also include subsidizing feed purchases for farmers and supporting feed factories.

Tags: drought, Iraq, livestock sector