Department of Desertification Combat

Historical Overview

The department of Desertification Combat was established in 2013 based on the approval of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, with the letter of the Department of Studies, Planning and Follow-up No. TM3/4235 on 27/8/2013 to become the tenth department within scientific departments affiliated to the College of Agriculture / University of Baghdad. The department received the first batch of 41 students for the first stage of 2013- 2014. A number of professors and lecturers from the scientific departments in the college have been attracted to the department of Combating Desertification, like the department of Soil Sciences and Water Resources and others with specializations related to the scientific directions of the department of Combating Desertification. The department seeks to contribute effectively to achieving the mission of the College of Agriculture, to spread and apply scientific knowledge related to the efficient management of natural resources and provide food and sustainable agricultural development while preserving the environment from degradation processes, whether natural or that accompany of using land for various purposes by man. The department is also interested in preparing qualified staff for the development of agricultural production and find solutions to the problems of society in the agricultural field, especially in the land management affected by the various manifestations of desertification.

Vision, Message and Objectives

Vision:           

Sustainable green cover.

Message:

The department of desertification combat seeks to actively participate in disseminating knowledge and its applications as well as developing skills related to managing natural resources efficiently to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security for society. This can be achived by preparing qualified staff in the field of reducing occurrence of the desertification phenomenon and its expansion as well as managing lands affected by the desertification and conducting scientific research and studies which can reduce those challenges.

Objectives:

  1. Preparing qualified staff through the preparation and development of applied scientific curricula that meet the requirements and needs of society for maintaining and protecting natural resources from degradation processes as well as reliancing modern technologies and using remote sensing technology (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) in the field of determination of the lands affected by desertification for utilizing appropriate administrative methods to reduce the desertification and its expansion.

  2. Communicating with government institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals to develop capabilities and capacities in the field of combating desertification.

  3. Holding courses, seminars, conferences, workshops and field visits which enhance the implementation of programs to combat desertification.

  4. Participating with the scientific departments in the college to integrate knowledge in the field of sustainable development and achieving food security.