An Economic Study of Tomato Production in Iraq for the Period 1999–2024

• M.M. Nubras Rabeaa Shaker

  Author

     Tomatoes are a vegetable crop of high nutritional and dietary importance to a large proportion of the Iraqi population. The most important agricultural and economic factors influencing tomato production in Iraq between 1999 and 2024 were investigated in this study. The study's objectives are to ascertain the production function for tomatoes in Iraq, assess the current level of tomato production in the country, and identify and quantify the factors impacting tomato production. A number of conclusions were drawn, the most significant of which is that tomato output volume was positively impacted by the independent variables (area planted with tomatoes, local pricing, chemical fertilisers, and water imports).The coefficient of the independent variable for planted area (X1) is positive, at (2.784), indicating a direct relationship between planted area and tomato crop production; that is, a 1dunum increase in planted area leads to a 2.78 tons increase in production, and this variable is statistically significant at the 5% probability level. The coefficient for the local price (X2) is positive and equals 649.5, indicating a direct relationship between the local price and tomato production; a 1dinar/Kg increase in the local price leads to a 649.5 tons increase in production. This variable is statistically significant at the 5% probability level. The coefficient for the independent variable of chemical fertilisers (X3) is positive at 0.454, signifying a direct correlation between chemical fertilisers and production; specifically, a 1ton increase in fertiliser usage results in a 0.454 tons increase in production, which is statistically significant at the 5% probability level.

Similarly, the coefficient of the independent variable “water imports” was positive, with a value of (3043.5). This indicates a direct relationship between water imports and production; that is, a 1bilion m³/year increase in water imports leads to a 3043.5 tons increase in production, The irrigation variable has a positive effect, but is not statistically significant according to the study sample. This may be due to waste in traditional irrigation or inefficiency in the distribution of water quotas. The study recommends that the

government provide support to the agricultural sector by supplying production input

s such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides at government-subsidized prices, as well as agricultural financing through agricultural loans and improved marketing mechanisms. It also recommends supporting security and economic stability in agricultural lands due to their direct impact on the stability of agricultural production and its efficiency, and the use of modern irrigation techniques to rationalize water consumption and increase efficient agricultural production. Efforts should also be made to reduce the quantity of imported tomatoes during local production seasons to protect domestic producers, and to conduct continuous benchmarking, statistical analysis, and time-series analysis to forecast agricultural production, which will aid in the development of future agricultural plans.

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