'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎70r] (144/470)

Future Projects. An almost unlimited field for the extension of irrigation lies
open; save in Hindiyah and Karbala, where the greater part of the land is already
under command, large areas await water and fallahs Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. . The supply of the latter
is, however, limited, and it will be necessary to regulate the extension of canals
according to the number of fallahs Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. available.^ There is reason to believe that the
existing surplus of population will be absorbed within a few years, and, until a
considerable increase of population is assured, it will probably be wiser to rest
content with the improvement of existing systems, rather than to embark on large
and ambitious extensions.
4. Agriculture : Extension of Cultivation. —The past 12 months has seen a
great impulse given to agriculture throughout the Hillah Division, as elsewhere,
in the occupied territories. The principal factors leading to this result were the
high prices of foodstuffs and the introduction of the reign of law and order, leading
the cultivator to believe that he would be secure to reap where he had sowed.
Additional factors were seed advances, which were given freely in Musaiyib and
Hindiyah, and the completion of the Bani Hasan and Jorjiyah Canals. Except in
Musaiyib, where large areas failed owing to the non-rise of the river, the agricultural
position was generally favourable throughout the Division.
Differences of Soil. —Actually the conditions varied greatly in different districts.
In Hindiyah practically the whole district had lain fallow for three years, and the
soil was as rich as Traq soil can be. In other places, especially in parts of Hillah
and Diwaniyah, the soil is exhausted and needs a rest.
Soil Exhausted. —Conditions under Turkish rule were so unsettled that the
Arab, having no inducement to improve his methods, was solely concerned with getting
the largest possible immediate return from the land.
Rotation of crops appears to be practically unknown, the Arab’s substitute
for it being to leave half his land fallow every year.
Barley and Wheat. —The staple crops of the Division, as of other parts of ‘Iraq,
are barley and wheat, the former predominating.
The great desideratum at present is clean seed of good variety. The wheat
as a rule is hopelessly mixed; the best makes indifferent bread and would not find
a market outside Traq owing to the admixture of species.
Indian Wheat. —Last year Indian wheat seed was distributed in Musaiyib,
but owing to various reasons proved a failure. This year small quantities of specially
selected Punjab wheat have been distributed to specially selected cultivators.
There is no doubt but that the Arab will take to Indian wheat the moment he sees
there is money to be made out of it, and our principal efforts should be directed
to this end.
Weeds. —One of the agricultural problems of the country is the eradication of
weeds, which frequently choke the entire crop. It is to be feared that for some
years, and until the population per cultivated mile is much denser than at present,
the Arab will not find it worth his while to weed his crop.
Agricultural Experiments. —The principal work of the Agricultural Department
in this Division has been the establishment of a small experimental farm in the
neighbourhood of Hillah. Indian wheat has been distributed in small quantities
to selected cultivators. Seed potatoes have been imported; the bulk of those
distributed last September rotted before they could be planted out, but it is hoped
that seed imported for February planting will have better fortune.
Up to the present the work of the Department has been preliminary, and little
has been done towards bringing improved methods directly to the notice of the
Arab cultivator.
It is obvious that the best results can only be obtained by the closest co-operation
between circle officer and Political Officers, and 1 believe that if the former were
placed in the position of assistant and expert adviser to Political Officer Division, the
efficiency of the work of the Department would be increased.
In order to improve agriculture in the country, it is necessary that agricultural
knowledge should be disseminated as widely as possible, and I believe that one
of the most effective methods of attaining this end is through selected Shaikhs and
Sarkals. In every district there will be found a few enterprising individuals who
are quick to see the advantage of new methods, and eager to learn, and undoubtedly
the most effective method of disseminating knowledge among them is through the
Assistant Political Officer.