Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture Jihad reported growth in production despite a reduction in cultivated area.
According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, Mohammadfarid Separi, Director General of the Office for Vegetables and Horticultural Plants at the Ministry, announced that in the 1403–1404 agricultural year, vegetable and horticultural production in open fields reached a record 26.2 million tons, despite ongoing drought and limited water resources.
Separi noted that this production was achieved on 666,971 hectares, representing a 5% increase in output compared to the 10-year average, while the cultivated area decreased by 22%. He described this trend as a sign of improved productivity and the targeted implementation of crop patterns across the country.
According to Separi, the average yield of vegetable and horticultural crops has also seen significant growth, rising from 29.3 tons per hectare to 39.4 tons per hectare, an increase of approximately 35%. He identified the main factors behind this growth as the development of modern irrigation methods, the use of improved seeds, expansion of transplanting techniques, enhanced plant nutrition, and increased mechanization.
The Director General of the Office for Vegetables and Horticultural Plants at the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad added that adherence to technical principles, optimal resource management, and reduced water consumption have played a key role in boosting production. He described this achievement as “an effective step in strengthening food security, sustainable production, and the management of the country’s water resources.”
Source: ParsToday