Iraq’s Former ‘Food Basket’, Dhi Qar Devastated by Drought

Farmers and residents are opting for drilling wells in a desperate bid to endure the calamity unfolding around them, as water scarcity endangers their crops, livestock, and livelihoods.

The scale of drought is shown in this photo of Dhi Qar. (Photo edited by Kurdistan24)
The scale of drought is shown in this photo of Dhi Qar. (Photo edited by Kurdistan24)

Jan. 22, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Severe drought and decreased water flow from neighboring countries have ravaged the agricultural lands of Dhi Qar, once known as southern Iraq's ‘food basket’. 

Farmers and residents are opting for drilling wells in a desperate bid to endure the calamity unfolding around them, as water scarcity endangers their crops, livestock, and livelihoods.

Agricultural Collapse in Dhi Qar

Dhi Qar province, once a vital agricultural hub in Iraq, is facing unparalleled drought conditions that have turned fertile lands barren. 

Farmers report that the water shortages, worsened by diminished rainfall and reduced water release from neighboring countries, have left them incapable of growing vital crops like wheat and barley.

“We are drilling wells because our lands are exhausted and lacking water. This has been our situation for nearly two years, and we are completely without water,” a local farmer told Kurdistan24.

The lack of water has also drastically affected drinking water supplies, compelling residents to depend on wells as a last resort. 

“This year our situation has become utterly dire. Drilling wells is the only option we have left,” another resident shared.

The Growing Reliance on Wells

The Nasiriyah Groundwater Authority reported that approximately 100 wells have been drilled lately in drastically drought-affected areas, including the districts of Sayed Dakhil, Islah, Qalat Suker, and Nasr.

Ali Abbas, a representative of Iraq's Groundwater Authority, confirmed that in 2023 and 2024 alone, 100 wells were drilled, with 30 completed in 2024 in Dhi Qar alone. 

The wells are a temporary measure intended to alleviate the immediate burdens of water scarcity on local communities.

Exodus of Residents

The deteriorating drought has forced some residents to forsake their homes entirely. Local officials caution that without maintainable solutions, the exodus from rural areas could quicken, leading to a deeper humanitarian crisis.

Government Inaction and a Looming Crisis

Years of diminished rainfall and inadequate water release from neighboring countries have placed immense strain on Iraq’s water resources. 

Despite the severity of the crisis, residents and experts alike criticize the lack of a fundamental government plan to address water scarcity issues.

Local farmers and residents are asking for wide-ranging solutions to secure water resources, including diplomatic efforts to ensure fair water-sharing agreements with neighboring countries and investments in water infrastructure and management systems.

The Human Cost of Inaction

The situation in Dhi Qar reflects a larger challenge facing Iraq, where climate change, mismanagement, and regional water disputes imperil agriculture, drinking water supplies, and the livelihoods of millions.

As drought continues, the plight of Dhi Qar’s residents serves as a clear reminder of the pressing necessity for coordinated efforts to fight water scarcity and its overwhelming consequences. 

Without immediate action, the region’s agricultural heritage and its role as Iraq’s food basket may become a thing of the past.