By John Lee.
A consultation held in Najaf on 15 June has agreed to expand mechanised rice transplanting in the governorate as a climate-adaptive measure to improve water-use efficiency and support sustainable rice production.
The meeting was convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and government partners under the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded project "Enhancing Agricultural Livelihoods of Rural Communities Most Vulnerable to Climate Change". Representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources and Environment participated alongside provincial officials and FAO technical experts.
Participants endorsed a mechanism to expand from pilot sites of 100 donums to 800 donums in the current growing season, with beneficiaries selected according to agreed criteria. Joint field teams comprising representatives from the Agriculture Directorate, Water Resources Directorate, Farmers' Association and FAO will oversee implementation and monitor progress.
Technical Deputy Minister of Agriculture Dr. Mithaq Abdul Hussein Al-Khafaji said mechanised rice transplanting offers a promising approach to improving productivity while reducing pressure on water resources.
FAO Representative in Iraq Salah Hajj Hassan said the GCF project provides an opportunity to build on successful experiences and accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.
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(Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations / ReliefWeb)
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