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International Business Times
International Business Times
Science
Zeidoun Hachem

Iraqi Date Farmers Fight Drought To Protect National Treasure

Iraq Drought
The nubmer of date palms in Iraq has rebounded to levels not seen since the 1980s, but they face a growing threat of drought (Credit: AFP)

Bare feet pressed against the rough trunk of a palm tree, his back supported by a metal and fabric harness, Ali Abed begins the climb to the dates above.

In Iraq, the date palm and its bounty are national icons, but they are being battered by drought.

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