Parts of Iraq in grip of drought: minister

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Parts of Iraq in grip of drought: minister

by Bryan Pearson

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Parts of Iraq are in the grip of a drought, adding to woes of farmers already battling security problems, poor power supplies, saline soils and lack of machinery, the agriculture minister has warned.

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The main problem lies in northern Nineveh province, where some 4.5 million donum (1.1 million acres or 450,000 hectares) rely on rains for the winter wheat and barley crops, said the minister.

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"The effect of climate change is a global problem that results in rain in dry areas while some arable lands are deprived of it," said Shakir. "The delay in the rains will be a big problem for agriculture."

Aside from lack of rain, the agriculture sector is beset by a raft of problems, many of which have arisen since the US invasion of the country in 2003, said the minister.

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