\n 2026-05-23T19:45:10+00:00<\/p>\n
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Shafaq News- Baghdad<\/p>\n
Iraq will adopt modern
\nirrigation systems and stricter water management measures for the 2026 summer
\nagricultural season to confront worsening drought conditions and persistent
\nwater shortages, the ministries of Water Resources and Agriculture said on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
The plan includes integrated Water Resources Minister The measures come as Iraq According to the statement,
\nprograms for water distribution among provinces and promotes modern irrigation<\/a>
\nmethods and laser land-leveling technology to improve efficiency.<\/p>\n
\nMuthanna Al-Tamimi affirmed the ministry\u2019s commitment to securing the water
\nreleases required to implement the agricultural plan in line with available
\nreserves and Iraq\u2019s broader water management strategy.<\/p>\n
\nfaces escalating climate pressures and recurring drought<\/a> seasons that have
\nseverely affected agriculture and water supplies in recent years. Official
\nestimates indicate that annual water inflows have dropped to between 25 and 40
\nbillion cubic meters, around 30\u201340% of historical averages, while the country\u2019s
\nyearly needs exceed 50 billion cubic meters. Strategic reserves stored in major
\ndams and lakes have also fallen to between 7 and 10 billion cubic meters,
\nsharply reducing Baghdad\u2019s ability to withstand prolonged shortages.<\/p>\n
\nthe 2026 summer agricultural plan includes<\/a> the cultivation of 361,900 dunams
\n(about 90,475 hectares) of rice, in addition to yellow corn and summer
\nvegetable crops, with planting operations scheduled to begin on June 20.<\/p>\n