Effect of Salinity on Agriculture in Iraq

Iraq is doing its utmost to utilize its land and water resources properly. With the progress of irrigation the problem of salinity has arisen. The need for drainage has been realized only as an outcome of the deterioration and the dangerously decreasing fertility and productivity of agricultural lands. Drainage projects already executed have introduced the problems of deterioration of the water quality of the larger rivers. To reclaim the saline land and to prevent deterioration of water and cultivated land, research projects concerning water quality control measures, soil profile characteristics, ground-water conditions, farm management, irrigation, economic analysis and financial programs must be taken up. The irrigation practice in the river basins is to be improved.