Iraq’s Saltwater Crisis: A Threat to Farms and Survival
In southern Iraq, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers once sustained ancient civilizations, soaring water salinity is poisoning farmland, destroying crops, and killing livestock. Experts warn of irreversible damage to Iraq’s agriculture and food supply without immediate action.
Why Is Iraq’s Water Turning Toxic?
Farmers in Basra, Dhi Qar, and Maysan report catastrophic salt levels in irrigation water, leading to:
– Failed harvests of date palms, wheat, and barley.
– Dying livestock due to dehydration and kidney damage.
– Economic ruin as rural families lose incomes.
Ahmed Hassan, a Nasiriyah farmer, says, “Our water is too salty even for salt-resistant crops. This year, we lost 70% of our harvest.”
4 Key Causes of Rising Salinity
- Upstream Dams: Turkey and Iran’s dams reduce freshwater flow, letting Persian Gulf seawater invade.
- Outdated Farming: Poor irrigation and drainage worsen salt buildup.
- Climate Change: Droughts and heat increase evaporation, leaving salt behind.
- Pollution: Industrial waste and mismanagement degrade water quality.
Devastating Impacts on Communities
- Farmers face debt or abandonment of land.
- Livestock herders lose cattle to toxic water.
- Unemployment rises as agriculture collapses.
Umm Ali, a Basra shepherdess, shares, “My sheep are dying. We used to sell milk—now we have nothing.”
Solutions: What’s Being Done?
- Modern irrigation systems (e.g., drip irrigation) to reduce salinity.
- Desalination plants (limited by funding delays).
- Regional water talks with Turkey and Iran.
- Salt-resistant crops to help farmers adapt.
Yet, corruption slows progress. Researcher Huda Saeed notes, “Promises don’t reach the fields.”
Urgent Action Needed
Without intervention, Iraq faces:
– Mass migration from rural areas.
– Food shortages as production plummets.
– Ecological disaster in UNESCO-listed marshes.
Farmers cling to hope for rain or policy changes as the crisis deepens.
— Reported by [Your Name], NextMinuteNews
