The Department of Applied Geography at the College of Education for Humanities, University of Kerbala, discussed Hadeel Karim Radi’s PhD dissertation, “The Geographic Potential for Cultivating Industrial Crops (Sunflower, Corn, Sesame) and Their Developmental Prospects in the Holy City of Kerbala” under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hussein Fadhil Abd.
The study aims to analyse the geographic potential for cultivating industrial crops in Karbala Province and their geographic distribution. It also seeks to examine the impact of various geographic factors—natural, human, or biological—on cultivating these crops in Kerbala. Furthermore, the study explores the relationship between the climatic, human, and biological requirements of industrial crops, including factors such as sunlight, temperature, wind, humidity, dust storms, labour, market, and capital, to optimise the available resources in the study area to expand the cultivation of industrial crops based on their geographic distribution in the region.
As for the study’s recommendations, the study recommends achieving agricultural-industrial integration in the selected area, expanding the cultivation of industrial crops, and preparing them as raw materials for agricultural manufacturing. Additionally, it calls for conducting economic and statistical engineering studies to establish agricultural-industrial complexes based on their economic feasibility and the type of industry in the districts of the study area. The study also suggests increasing the area cultivated with industrial crops to enhance production and provide raw materials for the establishment of several agricultural industries, particularly for crops like sunflower and sesame.
The respectful defence committee consisted of:
• Prof. Dr Murtada Jaleel Ibrahim (Chairman)
• Prof. Dr Salma Abdul Razzaq Abid (Member)
• Assoc. Prof. Dr Wissam Muti’b Mohammed (Member)
• Assoc. Prof. Dr Uday Fadhil Abd (Member)
• Assoc. Prof. Dr Sundus Mohammed Alwan (Member)
• Prof. Dr Hussein Fadhil Abd (Member and Supervisor)
