Iraq details new agricultural leasing law and amendments to boost arable land

BAGHDAD — In 2024, Parliament passed a new agricultural land leasing law aimed at granting graduates of agricultural colleges up to 50 dunams (approximately 12.36 acres) of land, with ownership transferred to them after 10 years of successful project implementation, free of charge. The committee behind the law anticipates it could unlock up to 17 million dunams (approximately 4.2 million acres) of arable land, thereby expanding green spaces and enhancing livestock resources across the country.

Falih Al-Khazali, Chairman of the Agriculture, Water, and Marshlands Committee, told Al-Sabah newspaper, “The lease duration under the new law has been extended, and it now allows for the establishment of orchards on a single, undivided plot of land. Ownership will be transferred after five years for palm groves covering at least 10 dunams [2.47 acres], as well as for olive, citrus tree orchards. This will provide farmers with the confidence to hold onto their land.”

Al-Khazali explained that the committee is closely monitoring water-related issues, particularly agreements with neighboring countries and the equitable distribution of water resources, as part of its strategic commitments.

Parliament has passed two key laws, he noted. The first is the Agricultural Land Leasing Law for agricultural engineers, veterinarians, animal husbandry graduates, and graduates of agricultural secondary schools. This law includes a provision allowing graduates to be allocated up to 50 dunams (12.36 acres) of land, which will be transferred to them after 10 years of meeting specific project conditions. Graduates will also receive private sector support under the law.

The second law is a long-overdue amendment to Law No. 35 of 1983 on agricultural land leasing. The previous law, repealed by the newly passed Law No. 24 of 2024, strictly limited cultivation to strategic crops and prohibited planting trees like palm and fruit trees. In contrast, the new law permits all types of crops, including palm and fruit trees, and allows the establishment of livestock projects to diversify agricultural production.

These laws will expand Iraq’s agricultural land to 18 million dunams (approximately 4.45 million acres). “We hope this will greatly enhance agricultural conditions, improve livestock resources, and reduce reliance on imports,” Al-Khazali said.