Iraq... Government Plan for Expanding Rice Cultivation

The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture announced today, Wednesday, a plan to expand rice cultivation, noting that the plan also includes diversifying rice varieties. Deputy Minister Mahdi Sahar Al-Jubouri stated that "the ministry has a plan for the upcoming agricultural season to expand rice cultivation by using modern irrigation systems to produce large quantities, in addition to preserving rice varieties, especially the 'Anbar' and 'Jasmine' types." He added that "rice cultivation will not be limited only to irrigated areas, as was the case last year, where the agricultural plan was approved only to preserve the variety, resulting in the planting of 5,000 dunams." Prime Minister Muhammad Shiya Al-Sudani previously announced that the government allocated funds for sprinkler irrigation systems and that we will continue to support them, noting that despite water scarcity, proper investment will lead to sufficient irrigation water.