Iraq resumes rice cultivation after 2 year ban with new climate friendly strain
After a two-year hiatus due to severe water scarcity, Iraq has reintroduced rice cultivation, with a focus on a new strain designed to be more water-efficient. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Mahdi Sahar al-Jubouri informed Reuters that the nation has allocated 150 square kilometers (58 square miles) for rice farming this season, anticipating a yield of 150,000 tonnes. This decision follows improved water availability attributed to heavy winter rainfall and commitments from neighboring Turkey to release more water downstream.
The recent ban stemmed from a dire water crisis exacerbated by upstream dam constructions and climate change impacts, which severely limited agricultural activities. During this period, only a minimal area was cultivated annually for seed extraction purposes.
Iraq, previously a major exporter of agricultural products including rice, has faced challenges such as soil salinity, outdated irrigation systems, and decades of conflict, which transformed it into a significant importer of staple foods. The nation remains among the top global importers of rice and wheat, necessary to sustain a large-scale food rationing program dating back to Saddam Hussein’s era.
In a bid to modernize farming practices and enhance water efficiency, Iraqi scientists have developed a hybrid rice variety named Ghiri, blending characteristics of popular strains like Amber and Jasmine. Ghiri, trialed successfully at the al-Mishkhab Research Station last year, promises reduced water consumption and can be cultivated using fixed sprayers, eliminating the need for traditional flooding methods.
For the ongoing 2024 season, rice cultivation has been permitted in five provinces, with Najaf province leading in acreage. According to Muhsin Abdul Ameer, head of the farmers’ association in Najaf, approximately 80 square kilometers of agricultural land has been dedicated to rice, comprising 37% of the total area allocated nationwide. Varieties planted include Amber, Jasmine, and Euphrates rice, reflecting the diversity in Iraq’s rice farming tradition.
Looking forward, Iraq plans to expand its agricultural footprint by adopting advanced irrigation techniques such as drip systems, potentially scaling up to 1,000 square kilometers in the coming years. Lawmaker Hussain Mardan, deputy chairman of Iraq’s parliamentary committee on water, agriculture, and marshes, highlighted ongoing studies into drip irrigation for rice, underscoring the nation’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices amidst fluctuating water availability.
As Iraq navigates its agricultural resurgence, stakeholders are optimistic that technological advancements and international partnerships will fortify the nation’s food security and revive its historical agricultural prowess in the global market.
