Harir Plain farmers plant again after last year’s drought as rainfall revives springs

ERBIL — Farmers in the Harir Plain northeast of Erbil have begun planting rice for the first time in years, as abundant rainfall this year revived springs and water sources across the area after a devastating drought in 2025.

Rice is among the most water-intensive crops, and the vast fertile plain had seen planting abandoned during dry years. Farmers are now using traditional methods to flood and prepare their fields, planting Kurdish and Sadri varieties known for their rich fragrance, with hopes of filling markets and household tables come autumn.

“Last year’s drought caused us heavy losses,” farmer Sirwan Tahsin told 964media while working in a flooded field. “But this year, nature has reconciled with us again, and we are planting our fields with satisfaction.”

Iraq hit its lowest rainfall level in roughly 80 years in 2025 before conditions improved significantly this year, benefiting agricultural areas across the Kurdistan Region.