July 24, 2024 9:11 PM

Iraq resumes rice cultivation after two-year ban with new climate friendly strain

Iraq has resumed rice cultivation after a two-year ban prompted by water scarcity, and is testing out a strain of the grain that consumes less water than traditionally planted versions. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Mahdi Sahar al-Jubouri told Reuters the country has earmarked 150 sq km (58 sq miles) for rice growing this season and forecast a yield of 150,000 tonnes, as officials said water is more abundant due to heavy winter rainfall and the promise of more water flows from Turkey. This fo...