Iraq to Cut Wheat and Barley Cultivation Amid Severe Water Shortage
Al-Qaisi warned that water reserves had dropped below 10 billion cubic meters, describing the situation as critical. As part of emergency measures, the ministry will ban barley cultivation, allowing only 200 acres to be planted to preserve the variety.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture announced plans to scale back wheat and barley cultivations due to a worsening water crisis.
Mahdi al-Qaisi, an advisor to the ministry, said Iraq has moved from a temporary shortage to a prolonged water scarcity, urging the formation of a joint technical negotiation team of government and parliament representatives, directly linked to the country’s highest authorities.
Al-Qaisi warned that water reserves had dropped below 10 billion cubic meters, describing the situation as critical. As part of emergency measures, the ministry will ban barley cultivation, allowing only 200 acres to be planted to preserve the variety.
“The winter agricultural plan will be significantly reduced, with wheat and barley cultivation restricted to areas with access to river water,” he stated.
He added that vegetable farming, which requires less water and can utilize drip irrigation, will be encouraged. Fish farming will also be shifted from open to closed cages to conserve water.
