Economic Impact of Cold Wave on Agriculture in North Diyala
Recent reports indicate that approximately 70% of the renowned "sophisticated" farms in Iraq’s North Diyala region have been adversely affected by a severe cold wave that swept through the country this past week.
Damage Assessment
Ali Al-Ubaidi, a local farmer, stated that the extreme cold has inflicted significant damage to sophisticated farms within the villages of the Greater District. The harsh conditions have led to the destruction of crops that farmers had meticulously nurtured over several months.
According to Al-Ubaidi, farmers in the region are currently grappling with a state of confusion due to the substantial financial losses incurred, particularly as they were anticipating a fruitful agricultural season. The region is renowned for being one of Iraq’s primary production areas for sophisticated crops.
Scale of Losses
Muhammad Al-Khudaan, a former head of the local council and a tribal chief in the Greater District, estimated that the losses sustained from the cold wave could be as high as 70%. Over 6,000 dunams of land have reportedly been damaged, indicating a significant agricultural setback for the region’s farmers.
Implications for Agriculture
Both Al-Ubaidi and Al-Khudaan emphasized that the cold wave represents a catastrophic event for the agricultural sector, particularly impacting the rating crop, which is vital as a summer strategic crop. They underscored the necessity for government intervention during this critical agricultural season.
Moreover, Al-Khudaan pointed out that many farmers will need to replant their crops to compensate for the unexpected losses, which could extend their financial strains. They are urging the government and the Ministry of Agriculture to step in and provide subsidized seeds to help farmers recover this season.
In summary, the cold wave has had a devastating impact on North Diyala’s agricultural output, prompting calls for immediate support and intervention from governmental bodies to mitigate the ongoing crisis.