In southern Iraq, farmer Umm Ali has experienced a significant loss of her poultry due to unprecedented salinity levels in regional water supplies, a phenomenon that has transformed once-vibrant agricultural areas into challenging landscapes for farmers. The elevated salinity has rendered the water in the Al-Mashab marshes of Basra province unsuitable not only for agricultural use but also for drinking, washing, and cooking.

Umm Ali, a 40-year-old widowed mother of three, has been particularly affected, reporting the deaths of dozens of her ducks and 15 chickens in this season alone. The harsh reality of this situation has left her grieving for the livelihood she has dedicated herself to for years.

Iraq has faced ongoing challenges related to climate change, marked by repeated droughts and declining rainfall. The declining flow of freshwater into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which converge at Basra before entering the Gulf, has heightened levels of salt and pollution in the region. Recently, officials from Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources indicated that current salinity levels, nearly reaching 29,000 parts per million, are the highest recorded in 89 years—a stark contrast to just 2,600 parts per million the previous year.

As salt levels climb, environmental experts emphasize the grave implications for human health and agriculture. Hasan al-Khateeb from Iraq’s University of Kufa highlights that the Shatt al-Arab waterway is increasingly burdened by pollutants, limiting its capacity to support both local flora and fauna.

The stark reality for farmers like Zulaykha Hashem, 60, is that the brackish conditions have compelled her to delay irrigation for her crops, including pomegranates, figs, and berries. The United Nations reports that nearly a quarter of the workforce in Basra and surrounding provinces is engaged in agriculture, underscoring farming’s essential role in local livelihoods.

With significant climate-induced migration already affecting the region, the UN’s International Organization for Migration has documented that around 170,000 individuals in central and southern Iraq have faced displacement due to worsening climate conditions. Farmers are often caught in a cycle of crisis, with many, like Maryam Salman, having relocated to pursue better opportunities only to find diminishing water resources in their new locales.

Iraq continues to address these challenges, with authorities advocating for improved water management and innovative solutions such as a proposed desalination project in Basra, aimed at enhancing water supply and quality. Ironically, while salinity poses a formidable obstacle, these efforts may provide a glimmer of hope for revitalizing the agricultural community and securing water needs in the face of an evolving climate landscape.

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