Agriculture is a primary source of revenue for villagers in Diyala province, but facing a lack of seed stocks, a looming water shortage and a general lack of coordination with the Iraqi government, the prospect for many residents is bleak, the Inter Press Agency said Thursday.

"The majority of our village farmers have quit, and the rest will follow," an area farmer told the global news agency. "This is because of obstacles like security, displacement, water shortage, lack of seeds, and lack of backing on the part of the ministry."

Farmers interviewed by IPS said typical yields during the 1990s averaged around 15 metric tons per year for fruit crops, but now farmers expected yields less than 10 percent of those totals.

They said the central government lacks the coordination with local and provincial leaders to address the issue, noting that many people face job losses as thousands of acres lie barren.

Though they were quick to point to an abnormally dry season in the mountainous north, they said many farmers are forced to buy their own private pumps to extract water from the Diyala River.

"The shortage of water is the biggest threat that Iraqi agriculture has ever faced," said one provincial director.

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