## 4 Challenges to Sustainable Agriculture Practices in Iraq  
The 21 st century needs technological improvements to increase the global production of food to feed a world population projected to grow by two to three billion people by the year 2050 [45]. At the same time, escalating the production of food will intensify the need to reduce environmental damage [6]. Ensuring a sufficient, high-quality food supply with limited environmental effects remains a significant challenge for 21 st-century agricultural development [15]. In Iraq, agriculture is the second-largest contributor to the gross domestic product, exceeded only by the oil sector [46]. It is also a significant source of income for the vulnerable; hence, its depletion will reduce the population's food security [46]. In 2018, global maize production was 1147 million tons [47]. The Arab Agricultural Statistics yearbook (2019) stated that areas in Iraq that cultivated maize covered approximately 128,000 hectares in 2019, with a total production of 439,000 tons. According to the FAO, maize production in Iraq has declined in recent years. The causes of that decline include soil salinity, water deficits, inadequate land maintenance, and poor management. Given the environmental concerns linked to modern crop production practices, it is necessary to establish the standards of environmental performance that will sustain high-quality maize production. Therefore, in response to constant population growth and persistent supply shortages, it is critical to pursue more advanced maize production methods per functional unit. Iraq is in the northern hemisphere, is a country in Southwest Asia and among the countries of the Middle East on the latitude 33\({}^{\circ}\)19\({}^{\prime}\)15.60\({}^{\prime\prime}\) N and longitude 43\({}^{\circ}\)48\({}^{\prime}\)07.20\({}^{\prime\prime}\) E. Of the country's total land area of 437.072 km\({}^{2}\), agricultural land accounts for 24% (10.5 million hectares) and provides about 30% of its agricultural produce [48]. Iraq is currently facing food insecurity. The available food supply is not sufficient for the population because of soil desertification, salinity, and military activities. Drought is another significant problem in Iraq, as annual rainfall is low (approximately 150 mm/year). To achieve food security for a growing population, areas devoted to agriculture and food production must be expanded [44]. The country's ecosystems have been heavily impacted by chemical compounds, such as herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides for agriculture. The agricultural sector accounts for about 40% of the available land but consumes approximately 70% of the country's natural resources. This fact makes further progress in development unachievable without sustainable agricultural practices. In Iraq, agriculture is mostly small-scale and based on a low input-low output system. This has been the case for several years and has made the country more dependent on food imports to meet domestic needs. There is a lack of robust agricultural extension services that can ensure technology transfer to small producers and encourage production. There is also the issue of post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage facilities. Iraq has experienced episodes of environmental and natural resource management problems and is susceptible to climatic change due to scarce water resources. Iraqi farmers are challenged in the area of farm produce due to various environmental factors, such as drought, salinity, inadequate facilities, pests, and shortages of inputs. Cereal production in Iraq has decreased considerably over the years due to issues with the seed multiplication system. The effect has been lower on seed productivity and quality. In the 1980s and 1990s, the planting of low-quality seeds led to weed and pest infestations and low yields [49]. Most farmers have abandoned their farms due to a lack of quality seeds, reducing agricultural efficiency.