Iraq allocates 1,000 tons of wheat seeds to Basra farmers under winter crop plan

BASRA — The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture announced Thursday that 1,000 tons of wheat seeds have been allocated to registered farmers in Basra as part of the 2024-2025 winter crop plan, which aims to cover 425 acres of farmland.

Basra Agriculture Media Director Samah Al-Taie told state-run newspaper Al-Sabah, “The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated 1,000 tons of wheat seeds for Basra farmers registered under the winter agriculture plan for the 2024/2025 season, with an estimated planting rate of 50 kilograms per dunam.” One dunam is approximately equal to 0.247 acres.

The current seed allocation is expected to cover 65% of the planned winter crop area in Basra, with additional quantities to be delivered as needed to meet the remaining demand.

The distributed seeds are subsidized by the federal government and the Ministry of Agriculture at a 70% rate, aimed at ensuring a successful planting season and moving toward self-sufficiency, which Al-Taie emphasized as “a key pillar of food security.”

On Sept. 26, 2024, Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources announced the approval of the 2024-2025 winter agricultural plan. The ministry confirmed that the plan was approved in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, based on anticipated water inflows, available water storage, and ensuring a water allocation for Iraq’s marshlands.

According to the ministry’s statement, “The 2024-2025 winter agricultural plan includes irrigation water provision for two million dunams (approximately 494,000 acres), covering wheat, barley, vegetables, and other winter crops, primarily utilizing surface water.” Additionally, the ministry stated that “another 141,500 dunams (about 35,000 acres) will be irrigated with groundwater to support wheat, barley, vegetables, and other crops.”