FAO and Iraqi Government Partners Advance Climate-Smart Solutions In Najaf

As climate change and water scarcity continue to challenge rice production in Iraq, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and government partners convened in Najaf to put into action measures for expanding mechanized rice transplanting as a practical solution to improve water-use efficiency, strengthen farmers' resilience , reduce environmental risks, and support sustainable rural livelihoods.

Under the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded project “Enhancing Agricultural Livelihoods of Rural Communities Most Vulnerable to Climate Change”, the consultation brought together representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources and Environment,  FAO Representative in Iraq, the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee of the Najaf Provincial Council, the Director of Agriculture in Najaf, the Director of Environment in Najaf, the Head of the Farmers' Association in Najaf, representatives of the Water Resources Directorate in Najaf, and FAO technical experts to discuss opportunities for promoting climate-smart rice production practices and supporting sustainable agricultural development in vulnerable farming communities.

Rice cultivation in Iraq has been increasingly affected by recurring droughts and growing water scarcity, highlighting the need for innovative approaches that help farmers maintain production while making more efficient use of available water resources.

The consultation drew on lessons learned from earlier FAO-supported demonstrations of mechanized rice transplanting implemented in Najaf. The positive results generated through these field experiences highlighted the potential of the approach to improve water-use efficiency, reduce production costs and support more sustainable rice production under conditions of increasing water scarcity, providing a valuable foundation for activities being implemented under the newly launched GCF-funded project.

Building on these lessons, participants agreed on practical mechanisms  to expand the adoption of mechanized rice transplanting in Najaf Governorate and supporting farmers through technical assistance, knowledge sharing and access to key inputs.

Technical Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Mithaq Abdul Hussein Al-Khafaji,  underscored the importance of innovation in ensuring the sustainability of Iraq’s agricultural sector. “Ensuring the sustainability of rice production in Iraq requires innovation, partnership and efficient use of our natural resources. Mechanized rice transplanting offers a promising approach to improving productivity while reducing pressure on water resources, and we look forward to expanding its adoption among farmers,” he said.

Representatives of the Ministries of Water Resources and Environment emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination among institutions to promote sustainable water management and support agricultural practices that enhance resilience to climate change while safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

FAO Representative in Iraq, Salah Hajj Hassan,  highlighted the importance of building on proven approaches to support climate adaptation in the agricultural sector :  “The Green Climate Fund project provides an important opportunity to build on successful experiences and accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices in Iraq. By promoting innovative approaches that improve water-use efficiency and strengthen resilience, we can help rural communities better adapt to the growing impacts of climate change while supporting sustainable agricultural development,” 

Participants endorsed the proposed mechanism to progress with the pilot sites of 100 donums and to support farmers in expanding to reaching 800 donums in this growing season . The mechanism follows agreed beneficiary selection criteria and aims to facilitate the wider adoption of mechanized rice transplanting among farmers in Najaf Governorate.

Participants also agreed to establish joint field teams comprising representatives from the Agriculture Directorate, Water Resources Directorate, Farmers’ Association and FAO to oversee implementation, support farmers and monitor progress throughout the season.

 This initiative forms part of broader efforts under the GCF-funded project to strengthen the resilience of climate-vulnerable rural communities, promote sustainable natural resource management and support more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in Iraq. By advancing climate-smart and water-efficient agricultural practices, the project contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), while supporting Green Climate Fund objectives related to climate adaptation and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The project further supports the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Iraq.

For more information, please contact:

Khawla Ben Aicha
Communications Expert, FAO Iraq , Email: Khawla.BenAicha@fao.org

Dr. Salah El Hajj Hassan

FAO Representative in Iraq, Email: Salah.ElHajjHassan@fao.org