In Iraq, the date palm is resisting drought as best it can

Barefoot on the rough trunk of a palm tree, his back wedged in a metal and fabric harness, Ali Abed begins climbing to cut bunches of dates. In Iraq, the tree that is a true national icon is valiantly trying to resist the drought. Once nicknamed the country of "30 million palm trees", Iraq has seen its millennia-old culture threatened by conflicts, notably the war with neighboring Iran (1980-1988), before the challenges of climate change arose, in a Middle East affected by repeated droughts. 12 tons compared to 4 to 5 tons today In the still lush countryside of central Iraq, in the Al-Qasim region, hundreds of palm trees stand tall and majestic, near vineyards and orchards. In this harvest season in the province of Babylon, the branches bend under the heavy bunches of yellow or red dates. Up at dawn to avoid the scorching temperatures, the climbers hoist themselves up using only the strength of their arms, supported by a harness, tightening a rope around the trunks. "Last year, ...