IRAQ-BASRA-CROPS Basra water crisis threatens agriculture

Record ID: 145230

  • Title: IRAQ-BASRA-CROPS Basra water crisis threatens agriculture
  • Date: 3rd August 2015
  • Summary: BASRA, IRAQ (RECENT) (REUTERS) SHOT OF IRRIGATION CHANNEL AND PALM TREES REFLECTION OF PALM TREES IN WATER VARIOUS OF WATER POURING IN IRRIGATION CHANNEL WATER FLOWING IN IRRIGATION CHANNEL PALM TREES IN FARM DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BASRA WATER DIRECTORATE, HAMID MAAREJ, SIGNING PAPERS HAMID'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BASRA WATER DIRECTORATE, HAMID MAAREJ,
  • Embargoed: 18th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5N1BNW5EYGGVQEBEMNUL0KQ3L
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Beneath the palm trees sprawling across the landscape of Basra is a growing crisis that is threatening agriculture in the southern Iraqi province.
    High salt levels in the irrigation water is killing plant life here, and farmers are struggling with the consequences.
    Hamid Maarej from the Basra Water Directorate says that farmers are having to rely on water from the salty Shatt al-Arab source due to a decrease in water from other sources.
    "To be honest the reason behind our problem is the decrease in the water levels coming from Turkey and the dams within Iraq. Basra should get its share of enough water from these water sources, in addition to that coming from the Karun river from Iran," he said.
    The Basra Water Directorate says Shatt al-Arab, which is now the main source of irrigation water for local farmers, has a salt level six times higher than that recommended by the government.
    Farmers now face a struggle to keep their land cultivatable in the once fertile country watered by rivers that nurtured Mesopotamia's ancient civilizations.
    Some crops in the area have had to be replaced with salt-resistant ones like dates, but farmer Mohammed Faris Abbas says even the palms will eventually suffer.
    "The area of Abul Khasib was known for its productions of different kind of fruits but know it's limited to salt-resistant plants like palm trees and a little bit for plants that feed animals. All other kinds of crops are diminishing because of the high salt levels. And if it continues to increase even palm trees will end," he said.
    Farm owner Murtadha Kamel said he is beginning to lose hope after years of working in the industry.
    "I spent over 20 years taking care of these palm trees, I have many rare kinds. And now you're seeing it die before your eyes, and its only future is dredging the land to be swept away to allow for the building of residential areas. Unless you pay from your own pocket. You have a limit and after that limit you'll give up trying," he said.
    Protesters in Basra took to the streets on Saturday (August 1) to voice their frustration with power cuts and salty tap water.
    Water shortages pose a big challenge for Iraq due to a rising population, depletion of resources, lack of rainfall and advancing desertification, officials say.
    Iraq started to suffer from drought almost two decades ago with its worst year in 2008, and global warming could mean Iraq faces further drought.
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