UNDP helps Iraqi farmers secure water more efficiently

A farmer walks next to sprinklers on his farm in Anbar governorate. Photo: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Agriculture is getting more difficult for farmers in southern Iraq. Rural households whose earnings rely on the land are under a great deal of strain due to water scarcity, rising temperatures, and rising production costs. When Iraqi farmers irrigate their farms with traditional diesel-powered pumps, they also have to deal with ongoing fuel costs, frequent failures, necessary repair, and pollution. To assist farmers in securing water more effectively and lessen their reliance on diesel, a solar-powered irrigation system and modern irrigation technology were installed in cooperation with the Japanese government through a UNDP program. The initiative reduces fuel expenses and equipment maintenance costs, leading to savings that can better support the incomes of farmers and their families, as well as enhance agricultural activities. The program has improved the effective use of water resources, which are becoming more limited. When used in conjunction with modern sprinkler irrigation, the solar system enables more precise water application, minimizing needless losses and promoting agricultural output. The impact on the land is evident. Other farmers are being encouraged to reconsider the future of their farms, as areas that previously struggled with water shortages are now being cultivated again. Water shortages, soil salinity, land degradation, and energy insecurity pose a danger to agricultural livelihoods, food security, and community stability in southern Iraq. The program addresses these growing climatic challenges.