From the Blue Community / Blue University MTU – Middle Technical University, Baghdad, Iraq:
I am proud to share a major milestone by our Water Resources Techniques Department at MTU, Iraq.
We have successfully executed a large-scale field experiment covering 40 Dunams in the hyper-arid Western Desert (Anbar Governorate) to combat desertification.
By deploying Localized Subsurface Drip Irrigation, we engineered a precise conical wetting zone around the roots, reducing intense desert evaporation losses by up to 70%.
This stands as a scalable blueprint for smart water management and environmental restoration.
Best regards,
Dr. Muntasir Alshareef
Field Experiment Report
Deploying Smart Localized Irrigation Tech to Combat Desertification in the Western Desert of Iraq.
Location & Geographical Context:
This pioneering field experiment was conducted as part of the academic and practical initiatives of the Water Resources Techniques Department at Middle Technical University (MTU). The project was executed in the Western Desert of Iraq, specifically within the Anbar Governorate. This location was strategically selected due to its hyper-arid climate, characterized by extreme water scarcity and being almost completely devoid of natural vegetative cover, making it the ideal frontline for desertification control.
Scale and Coverage
The field experiment successfully covered an expansive area of approximately 40 Dunams (around 10 Hectares). This large-scale application allowed the research team to evaluate the operational efficiency of the system under real, harsh desert conditions rather than limited laboratory environments.
Hydrological Methodology & Sustainability Impact
The core of the experiment relies on Localized Subsurface Drip Irrigation. By delivering water precisely to the active root zones, the system engineers a conical wetting pattern tailored to support drought-tolerant species.
Primary Objective: To mitigate the massive evaporation losses caused by Anbar’s intense desert heat by up to 70%, ensuring that not a single drop of water is wasted on barren surrounding soil.
Environmental Legacy
Soil stabilization, the gradual restoration of micro-ecosystems and vegetative cover, and providing a scalable, sustainable blueprint for arid land reclamation and water management across Iraq.
Our Motto: Our Research Today, Our Legacy Tomorrow.
Images showing the situation before and after the desertification control operation, and noting the method of water distribution in the root zone of the area covered by the activity.
