August is a critical stage in the date-growing cycle, when fruit progresses from the khalal and bisr stages to rutab and eventually fully ripened dates. High temperatures are essential for this process, helping increase sugar content and improve quality.<\/p>\n
Agricultural expert Jassim Mohammed told Shafaq News that Iraq\u2019s hot, dry summer provides favorable conditions for major varieties including Zahdi, Khastawi, Barhi and Khadrawi.<\/p>\n
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But extreme heat becomes a threat when combined with insufficient water.<\/p>\n
Mohammed said higher temperatures increase palms\u2019 irrigation needs and can expose fruit to heat stress and premature dropping when water supplies are inadequate. He called for wider adoption of modern irrigation systems and stronger agricultural extension programs.<\/p>\n
He said Iraq has more than 22 million date palms, placing it first globally in the number of trees<\/a> and fourth in date production.<\/p>\n Read more: The Black Land: Four decades \u043ef land reclamation threatens Iraqi agriculture<\/a><\/p>\n Water Scarcity Hits Growers<\/p>\n In Wasit<\/a>, farmer Jabbar al-Hajjami said growers are facing a difficult season because of extreme temperatures and reduced water releases, although better irrigation management has helped preserve the crop.<\/p>\n Farmers<\/a> increasingly irrigate at night and in the early morning to reduce heat-related losses, he said, predicting production could nevertheless exceed last season\u2019s.<\/p>\n In Babil<\/a>, farmer Haider al-Rubaie described August\u2019s extreme heat as a \u201cdouble-edged sword.\u201d While it accelerates the ripening of varieties such as Zahdi and Khastawi, it also increases palms\u2019 water requirements just as rivers and irrigation channels are running low.<\/p>\n Al-Rubaie called for greater government support for irrigation<\/a> equipment and pest-control programs to maintain crop quality and limit losses.<\/p>\n Conditions are more complicated in Basra, where farmer Ali Hussein said orchards along the Shatt al-Arab face the combined pressures of extreme heat, increasing salinity and declining freshwater supplies.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787562463785.webp\"\/)
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