Hydrogel Innovation for Sustainable Irrigation: A New Approach to Food Security in Iraq
SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | SDG 13: Climate Action
Institutions: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
In Iraq, rivers are drying up amid persistent drought, leaving farmers pressed for water. Recognizing this, Mohammed Albadri, a biomedical engineering graduate from South Iraq, is pioneering the use of hydrogels in agriculture to combat the region’s water scarcity and food insecurity. The repurposed hydrogels typically used in medicine to help soil retain moisture, aiming to reduce irrigation needs while preserving yields is in the stages of development. Albadri’s initiative gained momentum through his participation in the 2024 UNITAR “Entrepreneurship and Innovation” programme focused on food security in Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon. The training, delivered in hybrid format and culminating in an in-person workshop in Japan, equipped him with vital entrepreneurial acumen and confidence to advance his solution.
If effectively scaled, this hydrogel-based method could serve as a low-cost, high-impact innovation for arid regions struggling with limited water supplies, enhancing agricultural resilience, supporting food production, and aligning with broader climate and development goals.
Relevant question for policy stakeholders: Can India integrate hydrogel-based water retention technologies into its arid-region agriculture to enhance water efficiency and food security?
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