Abdul Karim Al-Ghazzawi

Revitalized Iraqi agriculture through drought-resistant crop innovation

Abdul Karim Al-Ghazzawi is an Iraqi agronomist whose work in the 1990s-2000s transformed farming in drought-prone regions. Working at the University of Baghdad, he developed drought-resistant wheat varieties that increased crop yields by up to 40% in arid conditions. His hybrid strains became the basis for Iraq's national seed program, saving millions of dollars in food imports.

During the 1990s sanctions, he pioneered urban farming techniques using wastewater treatment systems. His community greenhouses provided fresh produce to Baghdad neighborhoods, reducing malnutrition rates. By 2005, his methods were adopted in Syria and Jordan, benefiting over 500,000 farmers.

Key contributions include:
- Developing 12 drought-tolerant crop varieties
- Creating soil conservation techniques for marginal lands
- Establishing farmer training centers in 15 provinces
- Publishing the first Arabic-language agricultural extension manual

Despite facing post-war challenges, he continued his work through NGOs like Iraq Agricultural Renaissance. His achievements were honored with the King Faisal Prize (2003), and his crop varieties are now used in climate change adaptation programs across the Middle East.