Corn production doubles in Al-Qala’a Al-Salih amid high demand

MAYSAN– Corn production in Al-Qala’a Al-Salih, Maysan province, has doubled this year, despite a reduction in cultivated land due to water shortages, according to local agricultural authorities. Farmers in the fields along Obaiduallah bin Ali Street reported planting approximately 346 acres of corn, both within and outside the government agricultural planning limits.

In Iraq, government authorities impose restrictions and guidelines to regulate the use of agricultural land and resources. These measures are primarily aimed at managing scarce resources, particularly water, to address the country’s ongoing shortage concerns.

Hisham Al-Abadi, head of the Al-Qala’a Al-Salih Agriculture Division, told 964media that total production for the current year reached 425 tons, compared to 162 tons last year. “Although the cultivated area decreased to 650 donums [161 acres] of yellow corn and 250 donums [62 acres] of white corn due to water allocation limits, productivity improved to an average of 650 kilograms per donum [0.2 acres],” he said.

Al-Abadi explained that most of the yellow corn is harvested unripe for human consumption and is primarily sold in Basra, where demand is high during the winter months. Meanwhile, much of the white corn crop is processed into green fodder for livestock, yielding an average of 16.5 tons per donum.

Farmers like Khudr Khalaf, who operates a field in Al-Qala’a Al-Salih, noted that the majority of the corn is marketed to other provinces where prices are higher. “Yellow corn is planted in the summer and harvested in the fall, but its availability in local markets is limited because most farmers prioritize selling to other areas,” Khalaf said.

Grocery vendors, including Mehdi Al-Abadi, confirmed the high demand. “During cold weather, customers prefer yellow corn, but it’s not readily available even at the beginning of the season due to large-scale shipments to other provinces,” he said.

Corn is a popular winter snack in Iraq, often sold boiled on street carts and enjoyed during evening gatherings.