Iraq loses half of its agricultural land due to climate change and water shortages from Türkiye and

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[size=52]Iraq loses half of its agricultural land due to climate change and water shortages from Türkiye and Iran[/size]

[size=45]Iraq has lost more than half of its agricultural land due to the effects of climate change and water cuts by Türkiye and Iran.[/size]
[size=45]These factors have greatly reduced water reserves, leading to a decline in agricultural production and exacerbating the country's economic and food crises.[/size]
[size=45]Iraq faces major challenges in managing its water resources and securing its food needs in light of continuing climate change and the water policies of neighboring countries.[/size]
[size=45]Water crisis threatens Iraq’s agricultural future.
Water specialist Ali Salah explains that “Iraq is facing a serious water crisis as a result of the declining water reserves, which has exacerbated the damage on several levels in the agricultural sector.”[/size]
[size=45]He points out that “the decline in groundwater and surface water levels has directly affected irrigation, causing a reduction in the area of ​​productive agricultural land and a decrease in crop quantities.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, “This deterioration in agricultural production not only threatens the food security of the local population, but also increases dependence on food imports, which constitutes an additional economic burden on the state.”[/size]
[size=45]Regarding drinking water, Salah explains that “the lack of water reserves has affected water stations that rely on rivers and lakes to provide potable water, and this has led to a decline in water quality and an increase in its salinity, making it difficult to provide clean and safe water to the population,” noting that “some rural areas have become increasingly dependent on well water, which may be insufficient or polluted.”[/size]
[size=45]The water specialist warns that “the scarcity of water reserves increases the risks of environmental disasters, such as drought and desertification, which exacerbates climate change and its negative effects,” stressing that “the sustainability of water resources requires comprehensive strategies that include improving water management, using modern irrigation technologies, and rehabilitating the infrastructure of water networks, in addition to enhancing regional cooperation with neighboring countries to ensure a fair share of transboundary water.”[/size]
[size=45]He stressed the “necessity of raising awareness among citizens about the importance of rationalizing water use and preserving available water resources, in order to reduce pressure on natural resources and ensure meeting the needs of future generations. Under these circumstances, coordination between government sectors and local communities is essential to develop effective and sustainable solutions to address the water crisis in Iraq.”[/size]
[size=45]Ministerial measures
: For his part, the spokesman for the Ministry of Water Resources, Khaled Shamal, says, “The decrease in water revenues over the past four years has negatively affected the agricultural plan. The Ministry of Water Resources has contributed to a successful agricultural season for the past and current years by 100 percent, and the ministry has taken effective measures to enhance the strategic reserve that contributes to building the agricultural plan.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, "The agricultural plan is based on several basic steps, most notably the amount of water in the strategic storage in the artificial lakes in front of the dams."[/size]
[size=45]He explains: “The second indicator lies in the rate of water revenues, which is closer to certainty, and includes surface water from neighboring countries, rainwater, and snow that falls on Iraq or neighboring countries. These indicators combined are discussed by the Ministries of Resources and Agriculture, and on the basis of them, summer and winter agricultural plans are approved.”[/size]
[size=45]He confirms that “the loss of 60 percent of the lands irrigated by river water is an uncertain percentage, but the rate of natural revenues is less than 50 percent, and therefore it is not considered a loss, but rather the inability to include a large agricultural area in the agricultural plan for the winter season.”[/size]
[size=45]What is the quantity of water that Iraq needs?
In addition, the water specialist, Tahseen Al-Moussawi, explains the quantities of water that Iraq needs and the quantities that are available, and that must be worked with, stressing that “priority is given to drinking water over agriculture.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Moussawi says, “Iraq needs 50 billion cubic meters of water to cover its actual need for drinking water, agriculture, and running water,” noting that “all that is available in Iraq’s reservoirs does not exceed 21 billion cubic meters.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, "The decrease in water quantities causes environmental pollution, which leads to the killing of fish and animal wealth, as well as agriculture," noting that "there will be problems in the future and a threat to food security if the situation remains as it is."[/size]
[size=45]He added, “The drought in the marshes and the water problems in Iraq are due to two main factors: Iraq’s foreign policy, which is unable to sign agreements with upstream countries, as well as the increased need for water domestically, due to population growth and the expansion of the agricultural plan.”[/size]
[size=45]Calls to save water resources
Environmental and community activists in Iraq have launched urgent calls to save the country’s water resources, warning of the ongoing deterioration of water reserves that threatens agriculture, drinking water, and environmental security. The activists called on the Iraqi government to take decisive and immediate measures to address the water crisis, including developing sustainable water policies, rehabilitating water infrastructure, and strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries to ensure fair shares of shared water.[/size]
[size=45]On August 12, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that Iraq has lost 60 percent of its river-irrigated agricultural land due to drought. The country also loses 100 square kilometers of agricultural land annually due to desertification. Meanwhile, a report issued by the Ministry of Water Resources concludes that the severe droughts expected until 2025 will lead to the complete drying up of the Euphrates River in its southern sector, while the Tigris River will turn into a waterway with limited resources.[/size]
[size=45]Iraq has been complaining for years about the unfair water policies pursued by Turkey, through the construction of many dams on the Tigris River, which has caused a decline in its water shares, and also Iran, through the diversion of the course of more than 30 rivers within its territory to prevent them from reaching Iraqi territory. In addition, the problem of drought and lack of rain during the last four years has exacerbated the country's environmental and agricultural conditions.[/size]
[size=45]The total volume of water flowing from the Tigris and Euphrates decreased significantly from 93.47 billion cubic meters in 2019 to 49.59 billion cubic meters in 2020, primarily due to the actions of upstream countries.[/size]
[size=45]Fears are increasing day after day among the residents of the marshes in southern Iraq, specifically in Al-Chibayish, Dhi Qar Governorate, due to the decline in water levels, which are the basis and foundation of life, and the fear of increasing water salinity, which causes the death of fish and buffalo.[/size]
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