Iraqi farmer, Muntazer al-Joufi, is combating drought and water scarcity by introducing tougher seeds and water-saving irrigation techniques, as drought and declining rainfall have impacted rice production in the country. The United Nations has identified Iraq as one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations. The country's rice crop requires a significant amount of water, and new irrigation methods have been introduced to use 70% less water than traditional practices. However, upstream dams built by Iran and Turkey have further reduced water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, leading to increased water scarcity and forcing many farmers to abandon their lands. Despite bountiful rains this winter, authorities have only permitted farmers to cultivate rice on 30% of their lands, leading to protests from farmers.