Farmer Hadi Saheb in Iraq has turned to groundwater to cultivate his wheat fields in the Najaf desert, a response to worsening drought and desertification. This government initiative allows farmers to lease desert land at a low cost and provides subsidized irrigation, leading to a significant increase in harvests. However, experts warn that the reliance on groundwater, which is depleting faster than it can be replenished, poses a risk to long-term agricultural sustainability, indicating a need for careful management of this critical resource.
