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Iran Among Top Agro Producers

22 September 2010
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its latest report declared that Iran, with production of 22 staple crops, is among top seven agricultural producers worldwide.

Iran ranks first in pistachio production, second in date output and 18th in wheat cultivation, Fars News Agency wrote.

Iran is considered as a top pistachio producer across the world.

The country has a good position in production of apricot, almond, cherries, cucumber, watermelon, quince, walnut, gum, silkworm cocoon, fig, peach, lemon, onion, tomato, hazelnut, orange, plum, kiwi, mint, honey, tea, egg plant, and potato, wheat, barley and soy beans.

It has also a high production of rice, sunflower seeds, meat and milk.

But, Saffron, as the Iranian major crop, has not been included in FAO's list.

However, statistics released by Trade Promotion Organization of agricultural exports show that saffron exports have grown by 40 tons in 2009.

This indicates that this precious spice has seen 910 and 1,734 percent rise in exports' weight and value respectively during the mentioned period.

Exports Rise
Director General of Export and Service Promotion Bureau of the Trade Development Organization Mehrdad Jalalipour said fruits exports have grown by 53 percent this year.

He put fruit exports at $130 million during March 21-June 22. While the figure stood at $85 million during the same period of the year before.

Pressurized Irrigation
Agricultural Jihad Minister Sadeq Khalilian said currently close to 90 percent of domestic water resources are used in farming sector, IRIB reported.

He recalled that the fourth five-year economic development plan (2005-2010) had targeted that close to 78,000 hectares of farming lands go under pressurized irrigation.

This is while the current government has implemented the pressurized irrigation across 113,000 hectares of lands, which is beyond the stipulated figure, he pointed out.

On relocation of Agricultural Jihad Ministry to one of Northern provinces, the minister said the administrative office is to be relocated.

Commenting on guaranteed beet purchase, he said the guaranteed purchase is a supportive measure. But, the government does not have to purchase the entire product, he added.

He elaborated that sugarcane output dropped sharply in the past two years.

The figure declined to 200,000 tons from six million tons, he said.

However, this year sugarcane production has again grown to four million tons, he added.

Asked about problems facing silkworm cocoon producers, he put the cocoon output at 1000 tons.

Experts say that fruit production can easily meet national demand. However, irregularities in distribution and sales have caused supply disruptions.

Although Iran, based on figures released by FAO, is among the world's 10 top countries in terms of production of fruits and vegetables, exorbitant fruit prices continue to exert further financial burden on low-income sections.

Compiled by Sadeq Dehqan

© Iran Daily 2010