06 May 2012
ERBIL - Fields in Erbil province are expected to produce only 50 percent of crops in comparison with last season after a lack of rainfall caused drought in some areas.

Head of plant protection at the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources Abdul Rahim Omer Mustafa said drought has been declared in some areas such as Erbil plains (Dasht), Qaraj, Kandinawa and Makhmour.

Mustafa added: "If rain doesn't fall twice a week this month, the Erbil fields will get fewer crops than predicted earlier this year.

"This year's drought has no affect on barley fields, but it does on wheat. Wheat needs more rain and longer time."

Mustafa explained that this year the fields that do not have a sprinkler system, such as wheat and lentil fields in Erbil province, will likely have a lower production probably than predicted before because of drought.

© AK News 2012