Combatting Sand and Dust Storms Mohammad Raafi Hossain

I II III IV V VI VII Summary Understanding Change Participatory Utilizing Past Gaps in Implementation the Context Drivers Environment Research Knowledge Plan

Summary of FAO’s Component FAO will focus in the assessment and analysis of causes including on-farm water and land-use management practices which is expected to guide us towards appropriate mitigation and improvement measures. Approach Phase I: Phase II: Phase III: National Programme I Identifying Sources and Mapping II III Hotspots Filling in Gaps §  Preparing compendium of land use and agriculture practices §  Identify data/information and capacity gaps and recommend §  Stakeholder analysis and institutional mapping appropriate measures §  Identification of ecosystem-based vulnerability indices on land §  Suggest institutional mechanism to address dust/sand storms §  Analyse trends of dust/sand storms based on historical observational degradation and drought data to the extent possible §  Develop the logical framework for the action plan highlighting causes, §  Mapping of areas of highest potential sources for sand storms (hot spots impacts and responses and sensitive areas) §  Describe the major components of the programme and their ultimate results

Understanding the Context Understanding the relationships between Climactic Regions and their correlation to Sand and Dust Storm Hotspots based on Land Management Practices Varying Levels of Hot-Spots §  The main annual rainfall ranges between 400 mm and 1 100 mm. The region may be subdivided into the following zones. Farming Driven Hot-Spot §  200 mm and 400 mm rainfall covering the foothill §  Kirkuk-Erbil-Mosul plain: §  Lower Mountain Slopes (500 to 2 000 metres) Climactic Hot-Spot area in the northeast. §  Less than 200 mm rainfall, (80 percent of Iraq). §  In summer high winds are common. §  Higher Mountain Slopes (2,000 to 4 000 metres): §  In summer, dust storms are common and there are a few The summer is warm to hot but dry and winters are §  The rainfall occurs with significant variations. heat waves which raise the temperature to 48 C cold. §  Humidity is low and evaporation from free water §  The 200 mm isohyets are the limit of dry farming. So §  Alpine Zone (above 4 000 metres): The precipitation is surfaces is up to 10 mm per day. The annual evaporation is about 2 100 mm. this region is a marginal dry farming area. approximately 900 to 1 000 mm. Arid Lowland Region Semi-arid Lowland Region Sub-humid Upland and Mountain Region

Change Drivers Changes in on-farm practices and technology will play a critical role in ensuring the mitigation of the effects of Sand and Dust Storms Enablers of SDS Disruptors of SDS Enablers are current practices and land uses that contribute a conducive environment for the harmful Disruptors are technologies and practices that can create sustainable positive disruption in the effects of effects of Sand and Dust Storms. Sand and Dust Storms and their role in Agriculture. 1 Loss of Vegetative Cover 1 Protecting Grasslands and Oases Rangeland Abuse: Overgrazing, Conversion to Crop Land 2 2 Conservation Tillage Operations 3 Shifting Sand Dunes 3 Windbreakers on Farm Peripherals 4 Water Logging 4 Sustainable Crop Management Declining Soil Characteristics: Salinity, Erodibility, Wetness 5 5 Improving Soil Quality

Understanding the Importance of a Participatory Approach in Mitigating SDS Learning the practices of farmers and pastoralists give insight on current trends of Land Degradation. Cutting of Fuel Wood Clearing Shrubbery Lack of Pastoralists and Farmers Seeking Immediate Crop Participation by Key Harvesting Increased SDS/ Grazing on Crop Residue Returns Desertification Actors Fewer Water Points for Livestock Tilling Arid Areas

Utilizing Past Contributions to SDS Mitigation in Iraq There have been significant contributions over the past 15 years towards understanding SDS and Desertification in Iraq by various international and national institutions. 1 Ministry of Agriculture/Environment Reports on Combatting SDS 2 Previous FAO Contributions to Desertification and SDS in Iraq 3 Outcomes of DRM Project, UNESCO, UNDP 4 Research by UNCCD for Iraq 5 US Foreign Service Report on Dust Storm Management 6 Lessons Learned from Previous Historical Observations

Understanding current agricultural practices and locations Gaps in Knowledge A few of the gaps that need to be filled: Use of Tillage Technology Current Methods of Crop Rotation Understanding current agricultural practices and locations Irrigation Practices Rangeland Management Indicators

Implementation Plan The best way to plan out a project is to look at the various activities visually. The best tool to do that is a simple Gantt Chart. A Gantt Chart is a visual representation of the various project activities. 2013 2014 2015 2016 J F M A M J J A S O N D Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1/2 Q3/4 Q1-4 SDS Project Open Project Procure Project Preparatory Needs Design Project Technical Framework Preparing Compendium of Past Work Mapping Out Land Use and Agri Practices Fill in Gaps and Analyze Trends Recommendations Develop National Programme Post Project Review SDS Project Complete Today