Search

Drought presents a substantial threat to both ecological and agricultural systems. Agriculture in Iraq is predicated on precipitation, which is a major contributor to the likelihood of drought resulting from even marginal fluctuations in precipitation. Furthermore, research suggests that Iraq suffers an approximate annual loss of 100,000 acres of arable land due to drought. NDVI and VCI, two significant indices, were utilized in this research to assess and monitor the severity of the drought in the northern region of Wasit province in Iraq. For the period from 1993 to 2023, drought intensity maps were generated utilizing NDVI-based VCI and the Geographic Information System (GIS), an extremely effective spatial data management instrument. NDVI results evidenced that the vegetation cover area was the highest in 1993 and 1998 and declined until it reached the lowest levels in 2023. The vegetation area was concentrated in the southwest parts. In contrast, VCI results demonstrated the extreme drought through the years from 2003 to 2023, which can be attributed to higher temperatures, evaporation, and lower amounts of rainfall. Throughout the thirty-year analysis period, extreme drought conditions were prevalent, especially in the last two decades. Furthermore, this drought should prompt the government to implement preventative measures to avert it. Implementing soil and water conservation measures, such as the establishment of percolation basins, contour bunds, and check dams, can also enhance drought management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iffat Elbarazi,1,* Basema Saddik,2,3,* Michal Grivna,1 Faisal Aziz,4 Deena Elsori,5 Emmanuel Stip,6 Enes Bendak7 1Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; 2Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 3Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 4Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; 5College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 6Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; 7ENPI, Dubai, United Arab Emirates*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Iffat Elbarazi, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, Email ielbarazi@uaeu.ac.aeIntroduction: The COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis in the world of information and digital literacy. The amount of misinformation surrounding COVID-19 that has circulated through social media (SM) since January 2020 is notably significant and has been linked to rising levels of anxiety and fear amongst SM users.Aim: This study aimed to assess SM practices during COVID-19 and investigated their impact on users’ well-being.Methods: An online survey was distributed between June 10 and July 31 2020 via different SM platforms in the United Arab Emirates and other Arabic-speaking countries. Adults above 18 years of age who spoke Arabic or English were invited to complete the survey which covered multiple domains, use and practices related to social media platforms and mental health questions, including the WHO-5 Well-Being Index.Results: Out of 993 participants, 73% were females, 76% were non-Emirati, 91% were university graduates, and 50% were employed in various occupations, of which 20% were health care professionals. Participants indicated that they acquired COVID-19 related information primarily from social media and messaging applications of which WhatsApp was the most used. Most participants reported sharing information after verification. The mean well-being score was 12.6 ± 5.6, with 49% of participants reporting poor well-being (WHO-5 score < 12.5). Adjusted linear regression showed that Facebook usage was negatively associated with well-being scores. Additionally, high time use was associated with poorer well-being. When adjusting for other factors, including low confidence in information around COVID-19 and poor knowledge overall, SM usage was significantly associated with poorer well-being.Conclusion: The study sheds light on the use of SM during the pandemic and its impact on well-being throughout the novel coronavirus pandemic. Social media practices during emergencies and disasters may impact public well-being. Authorities are advised to step in to minimize the spread of misinformation and more frequent use of social media as it may influence well-being. Public health specialists, information technology and communication experts should collaborate to limit the infodemic effect on communities.Keywords: COVID-19, infodemic, social media, WHO-5 Well-Being Index, internet use, mental health

Farmers are the main actors in the agricultural sector production activities as well as part of the community whose welfare needs to be improved. With extension workers can help farmers in receiving all agricultural information that is developing effectively. Increasing extension programs in the development of farmer groups needs to be implemented in a participatory manner so that the principles of equality, transparency, responsibility, accountability and cooperation can become new changes in farmer empowerment. The extension worker decides to select and organize the message content and symbols used in the message. Extension techniques are selecting, arranging, simplifying, and presenting. Symbols that are easily observed and the most widely used are language. In its activities as an agent of change, it always provides directions that can raise awareness of agricultural business actors. The role of the extension worker as a facilitator, namely the role of the extension worker to create a conducive learning atmosphere for farmers, the indicators are: efforts to get farmers closer to information sources, provision of learning facilities, frequency interactions, and the methods used. The farmer group has several functions, namely as a learning class, a production unit and a vehicle for cooperation. In class learning, groups will have a close relationship and participate when planning, in implementing them, knowing the benefits and will be evaluated. Farmer groups are regulated in the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture Number 82 of 2013 concerning Guidelines for the Development of Farmers' Groups and Farmer Group Associations which defines that "A farmer group is a group of farmers / ranchers / planters formed on the basis of common interests, equality of social, economic and natural environmental conditions., commodity commonality, and familiarity to improve and develop members' businesses. Within the farmer group, there are members of the farmer group who are referred to as the main actors and entrepreneurs.