Shafaq News-Wasit
Wasit ineastern Iraq has wrapped up its wheat harvest season after delivering about363,000 metric tons to state silos, an agricultural official told Shafaq Newson Saturday, describing the outcome as a “relatively successful season.”
Arkan Maryoush,director of the Agriculture Directorate in Wasit, indicated that this seasoncovered all 300,000 dunams (74,000 hectares) included in the province'sagricultural plan —50% lower than last year's level— a decline attributed tolimited water supplies and a delayed rainy season.
“Water scarcitypushed back planting schedules, while rainfall did not arrive until December,reducing the amount of land farmers were able to cultivate,” he explained,stressing that despite lower production, the province recorded one of itssmoothest grain collection seasons in recent years.
He also praisedthe close coordination between the State Company for Grain Trade and theAgriculture Directorate, noting that farmers delivered their crops dailywithout the long waiting lines that often accompanied previous harvest seasons. The extended marketing period eased pressure on
collectioncenters and helped maintain a steady flow of grain.
“Wasit consumesbetween 170,000 and 180,000 tons of wheat annually to meet local demand andsupply Iraq's food ration program,” he remarked, pointing out that surplusquantities are transferred to the Ministry of Trade for distribution to otherprovinces.
Looking ahead,he urged authorities to increase water releases to support larger plantingareas next year, while calling on Baghdad to accelerate payments owed tofarmers in Wasit and across Iraq.
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