OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY
 
 

Prepared by:
 
 

Dr. Abdulla N. Abdulla Al-Ani - Under secretary of Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture

Dr. Abdul Hussain N. Al-Hakim - Head, Department of the Agricultural Economics Ministry of Agriculture

Mr. Hussain A. Al-Zubaidi - State Board for Metrology

Dr. Adnan H. Al-Athari - IPA Agriculture Research Centre

Dr. Khodiar A. Jaddoa - Director General State Board for Agricultural Research Ministry of Agriculture

Dr. Adnan T. Marzouk - Head, Statistics Department Ministry of Agriculture
 

Rainfall in Iraq was extremely low this year. On the other hand, water in rivers, lakes and reservoirs is the lowest in Iraq recorded history. The average maximum and minimum temperatures were relatively higher than recorded averages in all weather stations in the country. The average minimum and maximum during October - April was 3' and 6' above recorded averages, respectively.

The total amount of rainfall during October - March (especially in the rainfed area) was much below averages (i.e. 33%, 37%, 42% and 48% of the average in Rutba, Mosul, Kirkouk and Baghdad respectively). In some other areas such as Khanakeen, Makhmour and Sinjar, the averages were only 4%, 22% and 25% of the averages respectively.

The flow of water in rivers and tributaries was also the least in recorded history. This indicates a disastrous condition for agricultural and animal wealth.

Due to low rainfall and higher temperatures, about 70% of seeded areas in the rainfed region did not germinate. The area affected by these conditions exceed 46% of wheat and barley Fields, 90.3% of which is in the rainfed area (37.3% wheat and 62.7 barley).

Crop conditions over the whole rainfed region indicate the inability of seed filling and thus very low yield. In this case, these areas will only be useful for animal grazing.

For the irrigated areas, the low level of water in rivers, lakes and reservoirs as well as the cut and failure of electric power did not allow normal irrigation of the crop.

Water resources for (October 1998 - April 1999) was only 43% of the average, which warns of worse conditions for next summer and winter Cropping. Irrigation wells (surface and artician) will also be affected which indicates a reduction in areas irrigated by wells.

The above mentioned conditions require a new strategy that depend on irrigated and supplementary irrigated areas rather than on rainfed areas for crop
 
 

production. These conditions also require having an emergency reserves of feed to be distributed to animal breeders in dry years.

For these reasons, the following measures, suggestions and orders were given to protect agriculture.

1. Orders were given to supply enough water for the required number of irrigation to crops in irrigated and supplementary irrigated areas;

2. An extra 11,000 tons of urea fertilizer were distributed for areas with supplementary irrigation systems in Ninaveh, Ta'meem and Salah El-Deen governorates;

3. Barley seeds will be provided for next cropping season;

4. It was recommended that feed must be distributed at subsidized price to animal breeders,

5. It was also recommended that grain stubble must not be burned in order to use it for animal feed and grazing;

6. Animal breeders were advised to store enough straw for the whole season;

7. It was recommended that the areas planted with sorghum should be increased for green fodder in summer in addition to grain production

8. It was also recommended that lies of natural pastures must he established for next year cultivation.

1. Weather Conditions

The weather conditions during this season are featuring high temperature in both the maximum & minimum and low rainfall as compared to the general averages.

A. Temperature

B. Rainfall

2. Water Resources

The water resources during this season was reduced to 42% compared to its general average (see table 3).

These annual resources indicate that the situation will be much less during the coming months than the present resources which will make the provision of irrigation water for the summer season impossible except for limited quantities.

This situation led to the elimination of summer cropping in the Diyala river basin and great reduction of areas in the Tigris and Euphrates basin. At the same time such scarce water resources will make the availability of irrigation water for next winter crops of wheat and barley impossible.

As said by the irrigation experts, this situation had not occurred since the beginning of this century.

3. Cereal Production

Due to the limited rainfall, about 70% of the cultivated fields of wheat and barley in the rainfed area was not germinated, and in the fields where germination occurred, the growth and development of the plants are delayed. The phases of plants growth namely germination, vegetation, elongation and spiking when faced by shortage of rainfall are considered very critical to plant growth.

The state of crops in the rainfed area indicate the inability of the plants to formulate grains and thus the production will be very low. If the situation continued like that, even with some rainfall, grazing of such fields is the only way to benefit from the crops. There are vast areas where the rationing system of irrigation and the continuing power cutoff during the ration made adverse effect on crops in the irrigated zone.

In addition to that, the raise in temperature above its averages has increased the water consumption due to the high evaporation and evapotranspiration which lead, with low rainfall, to a state of great thirst. The irrigated area is facing shortage in water resources in the irrigation canals led to difficulties in pumping.

The scarce water resources also affected the pumping capacity of water from wells as compared to the previous years.

4. Damaged Areas

The area damaged by shortage of rainfall in the rainfed area and the power cutoff during the power rationing or because of it, is estimated at 1,881,400 donum for wheat and 2,719,800 donum for barley. A total of 4,601,200 donum (46.1% of the cultivated area) out of the grand total of 9,981,600 donum. The degree of damage is variable between 100% to less than 50%. Table (4) gives detail figures on the degree of damage according to the zones and crop.

* One hectare = 4 Donum

The magnitude of damage will be clear at the end of the season (harvest) because some areas will be added due to shortage of water or the yield will be low for the same reason.

Measures Against the New Situation

1. For Cereal Production

• An additional dose of nitrogen fertilizer of 15kg/donum was given to the cropped area under irrigation and supplementary irrigation.
• Organizing a national campaign with the participation of the concerned ministries to insure the last irrigation needed for the crop.
• Provision of barley seeds for the coming season.
• Assurance to draw a strategic plan for the future based on utilizing the irrigated and supplementary irrigated areas in order to avoid any risks resulted from factors beyond human control.

2. For Live Stock

Shortage in rainfall means week or non-existing of vegetation or canopy for pastures leading to shortage of feedstuff for livestock. Alternative sources of feedstuff are necessary for animal feeding, even plant residues are considered necessary for livestocks.

At very high official level, a symposium was organized on 4 April 1999 to study the new situation developed from the draught and have conducted several recommendations, some of which are listed below:

• Delegation of authority to the governorates Director (Muhafez) to adjust the agricultural plan and determine the harvestable areas within their territory.
• Organizing a national campaign to assist in the provision of irrigation water.

Future Actions

1. Emphasize should be given to the irrigated area and reduce rainfed agriculture with the provision of inputs needed for vertical production under irrigation.
2. Initiation of studies about crop irrigation (number of irrigation, timing in relation to soil type, ploughing, planting dates and pest control).
3. Expansion in sprinkler irrigation in the rainfed area.
4. Application of proper practices in planting, ploughing and use of machinery.
5. Study the possibility of execution of South Al-Jazera irrigation project and complete some phases of the Rabia project.
6. Encourage the private sector to lease agricultural implements.
7. Establishing a solid base for feedstuff production by the state or in collaboration with the private sector wherever this is possible.
8. Encourage the investment in ground water.
9. Renewing the irrigation systems in the great projects in order to increase the water use efficiency.
10. Application of the proper crop rotation other than using one cereal crop. This requires the inclusion of legumes and fodder crops in the rotation.
11. Increase investment in searching for Draught-tolerant crops especially barley.
12. Use of the experience of the North African countries in handling the draught issue.
13. Study the possible compensation to the farmer as a result of losses in crop failures and may be establishing an agricultural insurance system.
14. Other measures include incentives to the distinguished farmer. And the use of windbreakers are also thought about.