Oil spills devastate Iraqi farmers’ lands

Amidst the vast oil reserves that have long been a source of wealth for Iraq, farmers in the northern regions are grappling with the aftermath of oil spills that have seeped into their lands, exacerbating the challenges posed by drought. In Salaheddin province, once fertile and green fields are now marred by puddles of viscous black liquid, rendering extensive stretches of farmland barren.

According to Abdel Majid Said, a 62-year-old farmer from the village of Al-Meaibdi, the oil contamination has devastated the productivity of their land, leaving every seed planted ruined and the soil virtually useless. The issue of oil spills, prevalent during the winter rains, has compounded the environmental woes in a country already ravaged by decades of conflict, corruption, and crumbling infrastructure.

Authorities attribute much of the blame to the Islamic State group, which, during its reign from 2014 to 2017, wreaked havoc by sabotaging oil pipelines and wells, and creating primitive oil storage pits. Despite efforts to address the issue, local farmers lament the slow response from the state in cleaning up the contamination, further exacerbating their plight.

In areas like Hamrin, where layers of oil sludge accumulate, temporary measures such as building dirt barriers are undertaken to contain the flow of contaminated water onto farmlands below. However, the ramifications extend beyond just soil and crop damage, as groundwater pollution poses a significant threat in a country already grappling with water scarcity.

Mohamed Hamad from the environment department in Salaheddin province revealed that approximately 500 hectares of wheat and barley fields have been contaminated by oil spills in Salaheddin, directly impacting agricultural output and livelihoods. Despite efforts to bury makeshift oil storage pits left behind by the Islamic State, residual oil continues to seep out during heavy rains, perpetuating the cycle of contamination.

While Iraq heavily relies on crude oil sales, constituting 90 percent of its budget revenues, the plight of farmers underscores the broader environmental and socio-economic challenges facing the nation. Abbas Taha, an agriculture official, highlighted the recurrent nature of oil spills since 2016, resulting in significant losses for farmers who rely on the winter season to cultivate crops like wheat.

Efforts to seek compensation for affected farmers have been stymied by bureaucratic hurdles, further exacerbating their frustrations. As agricultural lands shrink due to drought and abandonment, authorities are compelled to take drastic measures to ensure sufficient water supply for the burgeoning population. Amidst calls for intervention and compensation, the plight of Iraqi farmers underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the environmental fallout of oil contamination on agricultural livelihoods.