Iraq is facing a severe crisis as persistent droughts harm both buffalo populations and rural livelihoods. The Iraq buffalo farming crisis grows worse each year. Moreover, In Dhi Qar province, farmers like Sabah Ismail struggle daily.
A decade ago, Ismail raised 130 buffalo. Now, he has only around 50. Many buffalo died due to water shortages. Others were sold because feed prices rose sharply. Despite the hardship, Ismail continues to tend his remaining herd.
Therefore, Buffalo farming in Iraq has existed for centuries. Ancient Sumerian texts even mention this traditional practice. Yet today, that history is at risk. The Iraq buffalo farming crisis stems from multiple factors. Climate change has reduced rainfall. Dams in Turkey and Iran cut river flows. Inside Iraq, poor irrigation systems make the problem worse.
Meanwhile, Iraq’s decades of war have weakened its infrastructure. Battles with Iran, two Gulf Wars, and ISIS all disrupted agriculture. Farmers can no longer rely on stable support. Many rural families have moved to cities, leaving only a few to farm buffalo.
Additionally, according to Jassim Al-Assadi, an Iraqi expert, buffalo numbers dropped from 150,000 to under 65,000 since 2015. The Iraq buffalo farming crisis continues as green pastureland disappears. Pollution, disease, and expensive fodder add to the burden. Farmers say it’s becoming impossible to keep raising buffalo.
In summer, higher temperatures worsen water shortages. This raises fears of more buffalo deaths. Breeder Abdul Hussain Sbaih warns that half the remaining animals may die this season. With extreme heat and limited pasture, many herders struggle to keep their livestock alive and healthy under these worsening climate conditions.
In conclusion, migration from farms to cities is growing rapidly. Farmers search for income and water security. This shift pressures Iraq’s already stressed urban centers and growing populations in cities strain public services, housing, and job availability, making it harder for rural migrants to rebuild stable lives in new environments, and as drought deepens, the Iraq buffalo farming crisis threatens both culture and economy. Without urgent action, this way of life may vanish.
