April 24, 2025
News
In the Iraqi town of Bartella, 82-year-old farmer Corgis has witnessed decades of change. But nothing has challenged his livelihood quite like the effects of climate change. With support from Caritas Czech Republic, he is learning how to adapt and continue farming despite the unpredictable weather.
Climate change threatens traditional farming
For generations, the Nineveh Plains in Iraq have been a centre of agriculture, and for Corgis, it has been home. At 82 years old, Corgis has spent his entire life farming. He still remembers working the land as a child using donkeys, long before tractors and modern machinery arrived. Today, he grows tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, fruits, and even keeps bees and chickens on his farm in Bartella.
But farming in Iraq is no longer what it once was. Climate change is increasingly disrupting the agricultural calendar. Last year, extreme heat during the summer months destroyed much of Corgis’s crops. “If it’s like that again this summer, it will be a disaster,” he says.
The impact of climate change is being felt across the region. Longer periods of drought and higher temperatures are threatening harvests and reducing yields. For older farmers like Corgis, these changes are deeply worrying, but he is not facing them alone.
Support from Caritas Czech Republic
Caritas Czech Republic has provided vital support to farmers in Nineveh. Thanks to our support, Corgis received a water pump and two tanks, which he has installed above his home to store water for irrigation. This solution helps him save water and better manage his crops during dry periods.
Like many others in the region, Corgis was also supported through agricultural training provided by Caritas Czech Republic. These trainings help farmers apply modern techniques to cope with changing conditions such as using drought-resistant seeds and improving soil and water management.
The importance of community on the farm
While Corgis no longer works the land alone, he remains actively involved. He currently employs and houses a displaced man from a nearby village that fled his home due to ISIS. Corgis supervises him and ensures everything runs smoothly. The arrangement supports both families and highlights the sense of community that farmers depend on.
Additionally, Corgis lives on the farm with his wife, his son Thamer, and Thamer’s wife. Together, they are trying to hold onto their way of life, even as the climate and the country continue to change.
How Caritas Czech Republic is helping in Iraq
Caritas Czech Republic has long supported farmers in Iraq as they face the impacts of climate change. Through our activities, we provided agricultural training, irrigation systems, and farming equipment to help vulnerable communities adapt. We also contributed to post-war reconstruction by offering business support and vocational training for people returning to their homes.
The work we do is made possible thanks to the support of donors. Join us in helping more farmers like Corgis thrive despite the challenges. Your support makes a difference.
