Iraqi Agriculture Min.: Desertification Threatens 55% of Country's Total Area

The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture has warned that 55% of the total area of the country is threatened by desertification.

Rawya Mazal, Director-General of the Department of Forestry and Combating Desertification at the Ministry of Agriculture, said - in a statement reported by the Iraqi News Agency - that "the agricultural sector, both plant and animal, depends on water as the main determinant of agricultural operations and increased production."

Mazaal pointed out that the decline in rains for the winter season of 2021, and the decrease in water releases from upstream countries led to the reduction of the agricultural plan and thus the desertification of these lands due to their lack of productivity.

She added that the decertified land area is approximately 27 million dunums, which is equivalent to approximately 15% of the country's area.

And she warned that approximately 55% of Iraq's area is threatened by desertification.