Iraq to reduce wheat and barley cultivation due to critical water shortages

The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to significantly reduce wheat and barley cultivation due to an escalating water crisis in the country. Ongoing water shortage has prompted emergency measures, including limiting barley planting to just 200 acres to preserve the variety.

Ministry advisor Mahdi al-Qaisi warned that Iraq’s water reserves have fallen below 10 billion cubic meters, describing the situation as critical. He urged the formation of a joint technical negotiation team, comprising government and parliamentary representatives under the country’s highest authorities, to address the water scarcity issue. Al-Qaisi emphasized that Iraq has shifted from a temporary water shortage to a prolonged crisis.

The winter agricultural plan will be drastically scaled back, with wheat and barley cultivation restricted to areas with access to river water. As part of water conservation efforts, the ministry will ban barley cultivation entirely, except for the small designated area to maintain genetic diversity of the crop.

To adapt to the crisis, authorities will encourage vegetable farming, which requires less water and can utilize drip irrigation. Additionally, fish farming will transition from open water systems to closed cages to minimize water loss. These measures aim to safeguard food security amid worsening climatic conditions and water shortages in Iraq.

Tags: barley, wheat, drought, Iraq