المقومات الطبيعية للتنمية الزراعية في قضاء القرنة

Abstract

This research aims to highlight the natural potentials and resources for agricultural development in the Qadisiyyah of Al-Qurna, located north of Basra Governorate, by employing a descriptive-analytical approach to interpret and analyze natural and geographical phenomena. It also utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping purposes. Spatial analysis was conducted on the distribution of water resources and soils to spatially link them for agricultural production exploitation, as well as to identify obstacles and challenges hindering the development of agricultural production in the study area.The study revealed that the area of the district, which is (1248 km²), constitutes (6.5%) of the total area of Basra Governorate, indicating a substantial area of arable land that can be utilized for agricultural production, making it suitable for achieving diverse agricultural output. Additionally, the study showed variations in soil suitability based on salinity, with riverbank soils recording salinity levels of (8.3 m/TDS), while marshes and swamps reached (8.67 m/TDS), affecting the types of crops that can be cultivated. Furthermore, all soils in the study area are characterized by their base saturation, making them suitable for growing various types of crops. The diversity of water resources, such as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and Shatt al-Arab, forms a fundamental basis for supporting agricultural development plans.