Economy News – Baghdad
Minister of Resources Aoun Dhiab announced an ambitious expansion of the agricultural plan for this year, targeting an area of 2,500,000 dunums. The anticipated changes in the coming months will adjust the approach to water storage in preparation for summer requirements.
Dhiab highlighted in an interview that the current water levels in the marshlands are positively trending, with notable increases observed particularly in the Al-Jubayesh and Al-Huwaiza marshes. He indicated that the water rates now surpass those of previous years, marking a rare occurrence of such favorable conditions. Contributing factors include lower temperatures and reduced watering demands, allowing for less evaporation and more extensive water spread across these areas. He pointed out that the annual inflow from the Euphrates River is among the highest recorded, attributed to energy generation needs that have increased the river’s volume. This is seen as an opportunity to initiate water storage via modern dam technologies.
Regarding the Tigris River, Dhiab noted that current levels are acceptable; however, there is evidence of insufficient rainfall within both Tigris and Euphrates basin regions in Turkey, leading to lower than average precipitation levels. An expansion of the agricultural plan has been implemented this year, covering approximately 2,500,000 dunums with a total satellite-mapped area reaching around 6,200,000 dunums. This significant increase in cultivable land is expected to boost agricultural production. Notably, there is currently a surplus in the wheat crop, which has facilitated discussions during a recent cabinet meeting to donate wheat to Lebanon and Yemen, further indicating robust wheat availability.
Dhiab emphasized that unauthorized land use continues to be an issue, though efforts to mitigate these abuses have not ceased. Despite rainfall, the current outflow from the Mosul Dam is lower than incoming water levels, which is concerning. This year’s precipitation and snow in Turkey’s Tigris and Euphrates basins is notably below normal, prompting hopes for a shift in conditions in the coming months, particularly with rain forecasts for March. The focus remains on improving water storage capacity by early June, which is critical for meeting summer needs, and ensuring that water conservation continues during this period.
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