The Directorate of Agriculture in Wasit has called on farmers to begin applying for modern irrigation systems and sprinklers ahead of the winter season
Procurement support
Wasit farmers urged to adopt modern irrigation systems ahead of winter season
WASIT — The Wasit Directorate of Agriculture has called on farmers to apply for modern irrigation systems ahead of the winter season. The announcement invites farmers interested in acquiring 30 acres or 20 acre center-pivot irrigation systems to submit applications at the Wasit Agriculture Directorate.
Ali Al-Murshid, head of the media department at the Wasit Agriculture Directorate, told 964media, “Applications for the pivot irrigation systems will begin on Monday and continue for about a month for farmers interested in obtaining these systems. A distribution mechanism will be established, and the farmers will be required to pay the necessary amounts in installments.”
Center-pivot irrigation systems are automated, circular irrigation systems that rotate around a central pivot, delivering water efficiently to crops. These systems are commonly used in large agricultural fields and are designed to minimize water wastage, providing uniform coverage to areas up to 500 acres or more. They consist of sprinklers mounted on wheeled towers that move in a circular path, supplying water to crops as they rotate around the pivot.
He explained that Wasit’s allocation of irrigation systems is limited, accounting for about “30% in comparison to its land area, due to the limited availability of these systems nationwide.” Al-Murshid added that many farmers cannot utilize the sprinklers due to unsuitable high salinity levels in the soil.
The call for applications aligns with efforts to expand the use of modern irrigation systems across Iraq, as demonstrated by Basra’s recent success with Amber rice, which is traditionally grown in the Middle Euphrates fields of Najaf and Diwaniyah. “We are coordinating with organizations concerned with supporting the agricultural sector to expand the adoption of modern irrigation systems,” said Hadi Hussein, Basra’s Agriculture Director. Despite obstacles, including reluctance among farmers due to the inability of the sprinklers to resist high salinity, Hussein noted that “we plan to expand the reliance on the ‘T-TAPE’ technology.”
T-Tape is a type of drip irrigation technology designed for efficient and even water application across large agricultural areas. It’s produced by Rivulis and is widely used due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. The drip tape has integrated emitters, which distribute water at regular intervals, providing precise water delivery directly to crops’ root zones.
The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture has been working to increase the distribution of modern irrigation systems. In late June, the ministry announced that 835 billion Iraqi dinars ($637 million) had been allocated for the purchase of 12,000 new water sprinkler irrigation systems to irrigate about 247,104 acres of farmland.
Mohammad Al-Khuzai, the ministry’s spokesperson, highlighted the progress, stating, “While 1,400 sprinklers were distributed since 2003, this year we are set to distribute ten times that number.”
Wasit: Good citrus season in Al-Suwaira, but bad market.
