Iraq Expands Summer Farming Plan to 1.8 Million Donums

Iraq's Agriculture Ministry has set this year's summer farming plan at 1.8 million donums, while also moving to expand exports of vegetables and agricultural products. The plan comes as heavy rainfall and increased water quotas on the Tigris basin from Turkey have strengthened reserves after five consecutive years of drought. The ministry's administrative undersecretary said the plan was designed with previous seasons' water shortages in mind. He said 580,000 donums were allocated to summer vegetables, more than 360,000 donums to the strategic rice crop, and 290,000 donums to yellow corn. An additional 570,000 donums were assigned to industrial crops, including sunflower, cotton, white corn, sesame, millet and mung beans. The ministry said it aims to reduce water consumption through laser land leveling, mechanical seedling planting, short-cycle varieties and controlled irrigation methods. New rice trials in Najaf, Dukan, Muthanna, Babil, Diyala and Dhi Qar have produced positive results, according to the ministry. It said the practices will be expanded in the producing provinces.