As summer heat intensifies and water becomes scarce in the southern Najaf desert, camel and livestock herders from the nomadic Bedouins are forced to leave their desert areas and head towards nearby villages and rural areas in search of water and pastures, in a seasonal journey that reveals the challenges faced in animal husbandry in desert environments.
While herders resort to purchasing green lands and agricultural remnants to provide food for their animals and reduce feed costs, there are concerns about the impact of chemicals used in farming on camels, amid calls for the construction of dams on valleys that drain water from the Iraqi-Saudi border to benefit from them during the summer season.
The southern Najaf desert is characterized by its vast area and desert nature, where the availability of natural pastures and water sources varies according to seasons and climatic conditions.
Despite camels' ability to adapt to the desert environment and endure thirst for longer periods compared to many other animals, they still need water and food, especially during periods of extreme heat.
Nomadic Bedouins rely on moving between grazing areas and water sources, but the decline of these sources in summer pushes some to approach agricultural areas and villages in search of alternatives that secure the continuity of camel and livestock breeding while alleviating financial burdens on their owners.
Mohammed Jasib, a camel herder, stated in a press interview viewed by the "Video News Agency" that "camels and livestock need considerable amounts of water and feed, so we choose agricultural lands close to villages and rural areas where better opportunities exist to secure food for the animals."
He adds that breeders resort to buying green lands containing remnants of wheat, corn, and other crops, aiming to reduce reliance on ready-made fodder and lower breeding costs.
However, this option, according to Jasib, is not without problems, as he explains that "agricultural lands near cities cause us some difficulties because camels sometimes refuse to consume the leftover crops there, due to the chemicals that farmers use to increase crop productivity."
For his part, Zamil Ali, a camel breeder, urges the concerned authorities in the Iraqi government to construct dams on the valleys that drain water from the Iraqi-Saudi border to utilize this water during the summer season.
Ali states that benefiting from this water will help provide sources for watering camels and livestock, in addition to being used for some household needs of the nomadic Bedouins, who face difficulties in securing water during drought periods and high temperatures.
These demands are significant for breeders who rely on livestock as a source of livelihood, amidst challenges related to water scarcity, declining natural pastures, and rising feed costs, which complicate the continuation of camel breeding in the desert during summer months.
According to data from the Najaf Agricultural Directorate, the number of camels in the province reached 8,595 heads during the first half of 2026, according to a previous statement by the director of the livestock department in the directorate to Shafaq News Agency, reflecting the presence of this type of livestock within agricultural and pastoral activity in the province.
Amidst the summer heat, water scarcity, and declining pastures, camels remain a part of the life of nomadic Bedouins in the Najaf desert, while breeders await practical solutions to secure water and reduce feed costs, helping them maintain their livelihood and continue their profession.