1. Combatting Sand and Dust Storms
Mohammad Raafi Hossain

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

3. 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

4. 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 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 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 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 metres): The precipitation is
surfaces is up to 10 mm per day. The annual evaporation is about mm.
this region is a marginal dry farming area.
approximately 900 to mm.
Arid Lowland Region
Semi-arid Lowland Region
Sub-humid Upland and Mountain Region

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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