Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to introduce vertical farming as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and make more efficient use of agricultural land.
“Vertical farming is the practice of growing crops in stacked layers, which allows for maximum space utilization,” Deputy Agriculture Minister Mahdi Sahar told the Iraqi News Agency (INA). He noted that the system uses hydroponics and aeroponics, where plants grow in water or mist instead of soil, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers.
Sahar highlighted that vertical farming is designed to boost productivity per square meter compared to conventional methods. The approach also supports year-round cultivation in controlled environments, unaffected by weather or seasonal shifts.
He added that key environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and airflow can be precisely managed to promote optimal growth. Additionally, aquaponics can be integrated into the system, using fish waste as a natural fertilizer for crops.
Source: Iraqi News Agency (INA)
