FAO Representative Salah al-Hajj said on Wednesday that the rate of crop failure is expected to increase in Iraq as a result of the lack of rain, and increase in drought, specifically in the Nineveh province.
“If we consider Nineveh, there is a clear estimation that a main portion, a minimum of 70 or 80 percent of the crops dependent on rain, will not reach the harvest stage… There’s a shortage of wheat production for this season as a result of lack of rain,” said Hajj, adding that Iraq will need to resort to importing products to address the shortages.
The FAO representative stated that it was important for Iraq to increase investment in water and irrigation projects, especially in irrigating crops that are dependent on rainfall, also adding that the water resources should be used efficiently.
Hajj stressed that one way to compensate for the shortages is by expanding the agricultural area, as well as increasing prices and encouraging farmers to receive more crops.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, leading to an immediate surge in global prices of products that are significantly exported by the two neighboring countries.
Hajj suggested that while the Russia-Ukraine war has affected the economy and agriculture of all countries, Iraq’s social care programs have managed to lessen its effects on the country.
The Iraqi government recently announced a series of measures aimed at confronting the global price increase, as well as suspending custom duties on food products.
A new funding initiative titled the Emergency Support Law for Food Security and Development is currently being considered by the Iraqi parliament. The proposed law was first discussed in parliament on March 26 but further talks are yet to be held. The initiative was sent to the parliament by the current government on March 9.
The Iraqi government also announced a package in early March, providing 100,000 dinars ($68) to public servants on low income.
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