From fertile plains to barren fields, Iraq's cradle of civilisation faces an existential environmental crisis

Once the cradle of early agriculture, Iraq risks losing its fertile lands to desertification driven by climate change, upstream dams, and poor water management. This accelerating loss highlights the need for urgent action if Iraq is to avoid further devastation.

Iraq's Agriculture Minister, Abbas Jabr Al-Maliki, recently warned that climate change causes the country to lose nearly 50% of its total arable land each year. This means that roughly half of the previously farmable land becomes unusable annually.

People began farming between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known as the 'Cradle of Civilisation'. However, Iraq’s reliance on these rivers is under strain today, as the country now depends heavily on food imports.

Water flows have fallen to less than 25% of what is needed for national agriculture — a roughly 75% reduction — mainly due to dams built upstream in Turkey and Iran, worsening food insecurity.

Experts say the crisis extends far beyond Iraq. 

"Desertification isn't limited to Iraq," said Dr Omar Al-Sheikhly, an Iraqi environmental expert. "It affects dry-belt countries like Saudi Arabia, southern Syria, Jordan, western Iraq, and parts of Iran."

He continued, "Desertification is advancing fast in Iraq. Without action, fertile lands become barren. While smart farming and efficient irrigation can help conserve water, restoring the land will require decades — a daunting but necessary task as conditions worsen."

Dr Omar urged cooperation with experts and leaders to restore the land and manage water resources, warning that fragmented efforts only offer temporary relief. 

"Reduced rainfall, poor water management, and rising temperatures deepen the crisis. Iraq needs science-based policies to avoid irreversible degradation," Dr Omar said.

Adapting farming for survival

Authorities have launched plans to modernise irrigation and agriculture in the Kurdistan Region.

"These efforts are vital," Dr Omar said, "but strong legal frameworks are needed for impact."

Despite these programmes, results remain limited. He noted, "Weak coordination and limited capacity hold Iraq back. Public sustainability awareness is crucial to recovery and links policy with action."

In response, the government is seeking the urgent adoption of smart farming and modern irrigation to address the loss of farmland, severe water shortages, and the potential for displacement and conflict.

During a panel discussion at the Iraq Investment Forum, Abbas said, "Adapting agricultural practices achieves lower water consumption."

He explained that "the Ministry’s Research Department conducts studies to use seeds capable of withstanding environmental conditions, high temperatures, and water shortages."

Farmers on the frontline

For many Iraqis, the human toll of the crisis is already hitting home. In the southern province of Diwaniyah, hundreds of farmers recently protested against government restrictions on land cultivation.

These restrictions, implemented as authorities attempt to preserve dwindling water reserves, have drastically reduced agricultural activity to ensure a sufficient drinking water supply for Iraq’s 46 million people.

To many Iraqis, agriculture is not only a livelihood but a link to their heritage — one that is now drying up alongside the rivers that nourished it.

Year-on-year droughts and erratic rainfall have pushed Iraqi agriculture to the brink, crippling rice and wheat production.

The wider context encompasses decades of conflict and mismanagement, compounding the current crisis. Water scarcity has forced many farmers to abandon their plots, while rising input costs for fertiliser, fuel, and water have left others barely able to survive.

International efforts and national gaps

International efforts are underway, but challenges persist. 

Iraq is working with the UN to combat desertification and boost climate resilience. However, rising temperatures, increasing drought, and lower river flows — worsened by damaged infrastructure — threaten food security and livelihoods, revealing the gap between international initiatives and realities on the ground.

The UN agency has launched initiatives to train and fund Iraqi farmers in sustainable techniques, including drip irrigation, hydroponics, and water conservation.

It also helps the government develop key policy frameworks, including the National Adaptation Plan and Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, a Climate Vulnerability Index has been created to guide adaptation planning.

But the crisis cannot be separated from regional politics, says Kurdish lawmaker Gharib Ahmed, a parliamentary committee member on agriculture, water, and marshes.

“Climate change has hurt Iraq, but Turkey is using water as a political tool to pressure Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” Ahmed told The New Arab.

He added that the committee summoned the Turkish ambassador, urging Ankara to stop what he called the “collective punishment” of Iraqis over the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) conflict — showing the link between environmental issues and geopolitics.

Ahmed stated that during his field visits to Najaf, Karbala, Kut, and Nineveh, he found that most marshlands had dried up, leaving them barren and unfit for farming or fish breeding.

Following meetings with Turkish officials, Iraq secured a modest increase in water flow, but Ahmed stressed that long-term solutions require Iraq to build more dams and invest in modern irrigation systems.

He dismissed reports of a farming ban, saying authorities plan to acquire agricultural aircraft and equipment to support farmers instead.

A regional challenge demanding unity

Others say Iraq must look beyond politics to strengthen regional cooperation. 

Zanko Sardar, a Kurdish journalist, said both Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) should intensify diplomatic efforts with neighbouring states and regional partners facing similar challenges.

"We face shared threats — drought, warming, water scarcity, and shrinking green lands," he told The New Arab. "The main issue is poor planning. Iraq hasn’t built strategic dams in decades, even as the population grows."

He warned that worsening conditions drive migration to cities and advised Iraq to consult local experts before seeking international help.

Unless Iraq adapts decisively, shrinking rivers and dying farmland will make it a stark example of how climate change and water mismanagement can cause national collapse.

Dana is an investigative journalist and The New Arab's Iraq reporter. His work has appeared in Al-Monitor, Al Jazeera English, Middle East Eye, The National, among many other outlets