Desk Study on the Environment in Iraq Desk Study on the ... - UNEP

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As of 31 March 2003 there were US$10.15 billion of approved and funded contracts in the
pipeline and an additional US$5.8 billion had been approved but not yet funded. At the time
of writing, the respective UN agencies are evaluating and renegotiating contracts with the
aim of providing immediate assistance under the mandate given to the Secretary General.
By 22 April, some US$ 455 million worth of supplies had been identified.
Agriculture
Although the agriculture sector contributed relatively little to the economy before the Gulf War,
it has played an increasingly important role in recent years. Given serious import supply constraints,
the government has implemented a number of measures aimed at achieving greater
self-sufficiency in food. However, economic sanctions have limited access to foreign investment
and imported supplies, including spare parts for farm machinery as well as fertilizers,
pesticides and herbicides. In addition, the country suffered a major drought at the end of
2000. 35 Unsustainable water management practices, including construction of large dams and irrigation
schemes, have resulted in deterioration of the quality of soil and land productivity.
Map 5. Principal landcover types in Iraq
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<strong>Desk</strong> <strong>Study</strong>