A specialized team of agricultural engineers at the Center for Arid Farming and Conservation Agriculture Research at University of Mosul began, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, implementing a campaign to spray herbicides in the research fields and greenhouses belonging to the Center and designated for applied research during the current agricultural season. The campaign was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Salem Hammadi Antar, Head of the Field Crops Department at the Center.

   This campaign was launched in response to the fact that weeds and unwanted grasses are among the most significant problems affecting agricultural production. The work team used contact herbicides to control weeds spreading in the greenhouses. These herbicides act by eliminating growing weeds, whether narrow-leaved or broad-leaved.

   The campaign aims to eliminate unwanted weeds that grow among crops or in uncultivated lands. Herbicides operate through different mechanisms; some completely eradicate harmful weeds, while others stop their growth and prevent their spread. This contributes to improving the growth environment of agricultural crops and enhancing the success of the research experiments conducted by the Center.

This campaign aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• Goal 2 – Zero Hunger: by increasing crop productivity through reducing competition between weeds and crops for water and nutrients, thereby strengthening food security.

• Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being: as the proper use of herbicides, while adhering to safety procedures, reduces risks of poisoning or contamination and protects the health of farmers and the community.

• Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: through the responsible use of herbicides in ways that prevent contamination of water sources due to chemical leakage into surface or groundwater.

• Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: by adopting rational pesticide-use practices, following recommended dosages, and selecting environmentally safer products.

• Goal 15 – Life on Land: as proper herbicide management helps protect soil and living organisms within agricultural ecosystems and reduces negative impacts on biodiversity.

#University_of_Mosul.

#Center_for_Arid_Farming_and_Conservation_Agriculture_Research’s.

#sustainable_development.