Water shortage in Basra: Upstream violations end agriculture, endanger fish
Basra is facing a severe water crisis that threatens its food security and environmental stability, local officials warned.
Citing a sharp decline in freshwater supplies from central Iraqi provinces and rising salinity levels in the Shatt al-Arab waterway, the agricultural authorities stated that unauthorized water use by neighboring provinces has worsened the situation, leading to the collapse of thousands of acres of farmland and a sharp decline in livestock and fish production.
Official data indicates the province now receives only half its allocated water share, prompting urgent calls for federal intervention to ensure equitable distribution.
'As the last province on the river system, Basra simply doesn't receive the full amount,' Hadi Hussein, Director of Agriculture in Basra, stated to Shafaq News.
Hussein pointed to clear violations from Wasit and Maysan provinces, and more extensive ones from Dhi Qar, particularly affecting the Bad'ah Canal, Basra's main source of drinking water.
He noted that Maysan alone has 367 licensed fish ponds, ranging from 5 to 500 dunams (a local unit of area), while unlicensed ponds exceed 2,000 in number, some as large as 1,000 dunams. These operations consume vast amounts of water, contributing to shortages in Basra.
The water allocation for Basra is officially set at 107 cubic meters per second, but actual flow at the Qal'at Saleh regulator falls below 57 cubic meters per second, over 50 cubic meters short. Hussein said most of that loss occurs in Maysan, leading to higher salinity and further degradation of water quality.
Stressed that neighboring provinces directly impact Basra's water crisis, Hussein clarified that 'If we received our full share, the province would not be facing such shortages or the saltwater intrusion from the Shatt al-Arab.'
In 2023, a government order mandated the removal of 64 unauthorized fish ponds in Basra's Qitayban and Musahib areas of al-Hartha district. Hussein confirmed the ponds were dismantled in coordination with local authorities and security forces, and that no illegal ponds currently remain, based on local agricultural department reports.
However, 44 licensed fish ponds have ceased operations entirely due to saltwater encroachment, affecting both production volume and market prices.
'The administrative process for licensing fish ponds is simple,' Hussein explained, 'but current ministry guidelines prohibit issuing new permits,' which has led some individuals to build unlicensed ponds, placing additional stress on Basra's water share.
The province's fish farming industry has suffered significantly from both reduced water flow and increased salinity. Hussein warned of further production declines and rising prices, noting that Basra was once a major fish producer in Iraq.
In past years, Basra cultivated over 2,000 dunams of watermelon in the Luhais area, along with 1,700 dunams of cantaloupe, in addition to okra and other vegetables. These lands will lie fallow this summer as a result of the suspended plan.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Analysis by economic expert reveals Iraq is a key multi-dimensional partner for Turkey
Baghdad ( – An economic analysis by expert Manar Al-Obaidi highlights that Iraq is a pivotal partner for Turkey, with a multi-faceted relationship that extends well beyond trade to significantly impact vital Turkish economic sectors. This deep connection, however, also presents Iraq with considerable economic leverage that can be used in key negotiations. The commercial and financial relationship According to Al-Obaidi's analysis, Iraq's role as a major importer of Turkish goods is significant. The country ranks as Turkey's fifth-largest global importer, accounting for over 4% of all Turkish exports. In 2024 alone, this amounted to over $11 billion. Over the last five years, Iraq imported more than $52 billion worth of Turkish goods. The analysis also reveals a severe trade imbalance, with Turkey enjoying a surplus of over $54 billion with Iraq in the last five years. While Iraq's imports dominate in certain sectors, its own exports to Turkey are minimal, totaling less than $3 billion over the same period, consisting mostly of raw materials for re-processing. Tourism and investment The report underscores the critical role of Iraqi tourism and investment in the Turkish economy. In 2024, approximately 2 million Iraqi tourists visited Turkey, spending over $2 billion. Over a decade (2015–2024), more than 14 million Iraqi tourists spent over $13 billion, making Iraq the sixth-largest source of tourists for Turkey globally. In the real estate market, Iraqis have been a driving force among foreign investors in Turkey, purchasing over 45,000 residential and commercial properties valued at more than $2 billion within the last five years. Strategic leverage Al-Obaidi also points out that Turkish investments in Iraq over the last decade have reached over $35 billion, with Turkish companies securing a majority of contracts for housing complexes and other major infrastructure projects. He notes that this comprehensive economic interdependence, including an estimated $1 billion in annual remittances from Iraqis to Turkey, gives Iraq significant economic leverage. This strategic advantage, the analysis concludes, could be effectively utilized by Iraq to strengthen its negotiating position on contentious issues, particularly concerning water rights and the massive trade imbalance with Turkey.
Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq's Central Bank faces last chance to reform banking sector
Baghdad ( – Iraq's Central Bank (CBI) is facing a critical deadline with less than two weeks for private banks to implement the reform roadmap proposed by the American company 'Oliver Wyman.' Failure to do so could lead to the direct intervention of the US Federal Reserve and the US Treasury, a scenario Baghdad is eager to avoid to protect its sovereignty and reputation. For years, the US Federal Reserve and Treasury have maintained a strict policy with the CBI, which led to approximately 50% of Iraqi banks being excluded from dealing in US Dollars due to sanctions and restrictions. During this period, the Federal Reserve imposed numerous requirements to enhance compliance, including the expansion of direct transfers and electronic payments, and the consolidation of banks through mergers and liquidation, along with changes in ownership and capitalization structures. This situation put the CBI in a difficult position, caught between the demands of the US Federal Reserve and powerful domestic interests that own and operate dozens of banks, which profit from the flow of US Dollars. As a compromise, the CBI commissioned 'Oliver Wyman,' a US-based firm with ties to the Federal Reserve and the Treasury, to evaluate the Iraqi banking system and present a reform plan. The resulting plan, presented by the consulting firm, mirrors the very requirements that the Federal Reserve and Treasury had demanded in the previous year. This suggests the CBI received the federal requirements indirectly, a tactic that appears to be a way to cover for direct US intervention in reforming the Iraqi banking system. The plan is now ready for implementation, but according to economic expert Ziyad Al-Hashimi, there are 'benefiting parties' working behind the scenes to obstruct the reforms. Al-Hashimi warns that if the CBI fails to enforce the plan, the Federal Reserve and Treasury will return to direct intervention and pressure, or impose even more stringent measures and sanctions. The CBI is working diligently to avoid this direct intervention to protect its reputation and assert its independence, a task that requires a firm stance against internal pressures.
Iraq Business
6 hours ago
- Iraq Business
US Firm to Strengthen Financial Compliance in Iraq
By John Lee. Iraq's Rafidain Bank has signed a professional partnership agreement with U.S.-based consultancy K2 Integrity (K2i), during a ceremony hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington. The agreement is grounded in Iraqi Cabinet Resolution No. (23274) of 2023. K2 Integrity will deliver a wide range of services, including anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures, implementation of compliance systems aligned with international standards, and strengthening regulatory infrastructure across the Iraqi banking sector. The deal forms part of the Iraqi government's broader strategy to build a robust and transparent financial system capable of aligning with global economic shifts and positioning Iraq as a promising financial hub in the region. The Embassy highlighted that this partnership reflects the continued development of Iraq-U.S. relations, particularly in economic diplomacy and strategic cooperation supporting sustainable growth. (Source: MoFA)
