Babel agriculture suffers from water scarcity

Babel (IraqiNews.com) Babel Agriculture Directorate decided to reduce the surface area that is cultivated with maize in Jibala district, (60 km) to the north of Hilla city, center of Babel province, within the current season to begin early July because of the water scarcity and drought. The reduction will be from 40 acres to 30 acres. The Deputy Chairman of the District Council Abdul Karim al-Alwani said that “This resolution will damage the province’s interests, as the district occupies the first place in producing maize in the province,” referring to “the negative impact of this decision on the farmers’ income.” Alwani urged the Ministry of Water Resources to adopt decisive measures to save the agriculture posture from the drought through developing the irrigation canals reaching the district.