After a long hiatus, we are thrilled to relaunch the IRAQ MATTERS podcast, dedicated to exploring the issues that matter most to the people of Iraq. For our return, we shift the focus from the political headlines to a quieter, yet more existential, crisis: the growing scarcity of water that threatens the very cradle of civilization.

In this episode, EPIC’s Executive Director Erik Gustafson speaks with veteran correspondent Winthrop “Win” Rodgers, author of EPIC’s new ground-level research report, “Making Every Drop Count: Can Drip Irrigation Save Agriculture in Iraq?”

Win recently traveled across the farmlands of the Kurdistan Region, from the pomegranate orchards of Halabja to the greenhouses of Erbil. He returned with stories of determination and human ingenuity in the face of a catastrophic drought, where aquifers are dropping at an alarming rate and farmers watch their wells run dry.

Listen as we explore:

• The Human Cost: How climate change and water mismanagement are pushing farmers to abandon their ancestral lands.
• A Simple Solution: What is drip irrigation, and how can it both save water and boost crop yields for farmers?
• The Real-World Barriers: The financial and knowledge gaps that prevent widespread adoption of this water-saving technology.
• Systemic Challenges: The role of government support, exemplary farmers, and the brave, often dangerous, work of environmental activists.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone concerned about climate adaptation, food security, and the future of Iraq. Win’s on-the-ground research offers a clear-eyed assessment of the profound challenges and a hopeful path forward built on practical, farmer-driven solutions.

Watch the full episode above to understand the fight for Iraq’s water-wise future.

Read the full report, “Making Every Drop Count: Can Drip Irrigation Save Agriculture in Iraq?” here.

Help us get the word out by sharing this episode. IRAQ MATTERS is back!