FAO Iraq Develops Emergency Plan to Support Buffalo Producers Hit by the Current Severe Crisis of Water Scarcity in the Marshes-southern Iraq

The workshop was attended by large number of MOA Extension Officers from all the districts of the governorates affected by water scarcity crisis in Marshes in Basra, Thi-Qar and Missan Governorates in addition to FAO team. The workshop is commissioned by FAO Representative in Iraq, Dr. Salah ElHajj Hassan following an emergency visit to these areas with the FAO team to assess the critical situation in light of the high temperatures and the scarcity of water in the marshes.

During this workshop, Dr. Chedly Kayouli, Senior Livestock Expert, FAO Iraq has highlighted the very critical situation and urged the field Network teams in the Southern Marshes, taking the initiatives and exert maximum efforts to contribute, even modestly, to saving the Southern marshes from the most serious crisis of its kind   in this century, which may destroy life in all its environmental aspects.

The workshop resulted in the concrete implementation of immediate and medium-term actions with rapid results, by pooling the commendable efforts of all the projects currently implemented by FAO in these areas.

The key outcomes are:

1. Discussing and preparing for the urgent interventions to be undertaken and the necessary logistical support required for the distribution of equipment and supplies as well as capacity
2. Updating the criteria for the selection of lists of 3.000 beneficiaries in the most affected areas of the marshes to be considered for emergency assistance.
3. Rapid support to 3.000 buffalo producers with the new feed inputs locally produced and already proven to be successful in the Iraqi Marshes.
4. Providing support to 500 HHs (Buffalo producers), mostly affected by water scarcity and high salinity living inside the marshes, with 300 water tanks of different capacities to transport and store water.
5. Expanding on the implementation of the Climate-Smart crop production and Environmentally sustainable practices.
6. Supplying dairy equipment and training to 3.000 producers, including 2.000 Women-Headed Households, to improve milk handling, cooling, and processing of traditional dairy products. This intervention, supported by the EU-funded project (004/EC) for improving dairy processing.

Dr Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, also highlighted the urgent need for sustainable solutions to support marsh dwellers, particularly buffalo farmers. These include providing locally produced feed for improving the value chain for buffalo production. These efforts aim to alleviate suffering, improve incomes and build community resilience.

FAO Iraq’s emergency plan aligns with multiple SDGs, reflecting the organization’s commitment to addressing urgent environmental challenges, supporting vulnerable communities, and promoting sustainable development in the region.