Iraq postpones surplus wheat export amid water crisis

million dunams with wheat and barley crops, as a result of the continued poor water situation for the fifth year in a row,” Mohammed Jassim, head of crop production at the agriculture ministry, told the state-owned al-Sabah newspaper. Iraq has been gripped by a crippling water crisis, with mismanagement and reduced releases from upstream countries exacerbating the issue. The country’s southern provinces are particularly facing high water stress, as reserves in the country’s dams continue to plummet. Jassim explained that the agriculture ministry is seeking to modernize irrigation systems in the country “to reduce water waste and ensure the success of the agricultural season” despite the challenges. “The success of the winter plan and the achievement of its specified goals hinges on the continuation of water releases at the required level,” he added. As a result of the water crisis, the trade ministry announced that it was delaying requests from several countries, including ...