Minister highlights role of watershed management in food security

 

The Iranian minister of agriculture noted that major watershed management projects play a critical role in the country's food security and national economy.

"The government assumes the responsibility for providing food for a population of over 85 million people,” Mohammad-Ali Nikbakht said.

“Given the limitations of water, soil, climate, and financial resources that affect food production, we need to -with the help of knowledge-based companies, agricultural universities, professors and agricultural elites, research institutes, and agricultural education and extension organizations- employ new sciences, technology, and techniques to meet the country's domestic needs,” he added.

To that aim, the government is required to focus on major watershed projects to manage water scarcity and boost production.

He continued, "The country has the capacity to manage 90 million hectares of land, of which we have studied and are ready to implement nearly 20 million hectares."