Amid accelerating climate change and desertification, Iraqi farmers are adopting sprinkler irrigation systems to revive agriculture in the country’s southern deserts—where average summer temperatures soar past 50°C and rainfall is virtually nonexistent. Traditional flood irrigation from the once-mighty Tigris and Euphrates rivers has become unreliable, with upstream damming in Turkey and Iran reducing flow by over 60% in recent decades, according to Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources. In response, farmers in arid provinces like Muthanna, Dhi Qar, and Basra have turned to center-pivot and fixed sprinkler systems to grow staple crops like wheat, barley, tomatoes, and okra, using up to 40% less water than traditional methods. The technology has been partially funded through UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) pilot projects and supported by Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture, which aims to reclaim over 5 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
This innovation comes at a critical time: Iraq has lost over 50% of its arable land in the past two decades due to drought, salinization, and sandstorms, making it one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, according to the UN Environment Programme. Sprinkler irrigation is not only conserving water but also improving crop yields by 20–30%, stabilizing rural incomes and helping prevent forced migration from farming communities. However, challenges persist—many farmers lack access to stable electricity, modern infrastructure, or the upfront capital needed to install the systems. Experts warn that while irrigation technology is a vital adaptation tool, it must be paired with long-term water governance reform, regional cooperation on transboundary rivers, and investment in solar-powered irrigation to be truly sustainable. Still, Iraq’s experiment with sprinklers offers a model of hope for other drought-stricken regions facing the dual threats of water scarcity and land degradation. More