Iraq will be reluctant to address crop burning threat

Significance

That comes despite widespread instances of crop destruction in recent months, especially in the north-west, and is largely attributable to excellent weather during the growing season. Aside from crop burning, successive bouts of armed conflict and population displacements have often affected parts of the country that are important for agricultural output.

Impacts

• Investment in agriculture will remain minimal.
• Environmental challenges facing agriculture in Iraq will struggle to gain attention.
• Strong 2019 output will disincentivise addressing intentional crop destruction despite negative effects in many communities.
• Repeated instances of crop burning will pose a much greater danger during years with poor growing conditions.
• Harvest figures in 2019 also show a significant improvement thanks to the full inclusion of Anbar, Nineveh and Salah al-Din.