West Azarbaijan - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Farrukh Toirov, underscored the importance of collaboration, practical technologies, and localized approaches to enhance water-use efficiency across the Lake Urmia Basin.

 

Speaking at the inception workshop of the “Effective Use of Agricultural Water in Lake Urmia”, Toirov highlighted that the workshop marked the official launch of the project’s second phase, building on the accomplishments of the earlier FAO-supported initiative.

 

“Today’s workshop opens a new chapter. We have brought together some of the most experienced experts so that this project can advance on a strong foundation, guided by scientific knowledge and informed by local realities. Your expertise is essential to ensuring that we move in the right direction from the very beginning,” he said.

 

Drawing on lessons from previous interventions, he noted that agriculture is a complex sector with diverse agro-ecological conditions that require tailored solutions. Toirov emphasized that farmers need technologies that are simple, effective, and user-friendly, tools that can be used without advanced technical expertise.

 

He also pointed to disparities in farm size and financial capacity, noting that while large-scale farmers may be able to afford advanced irrigation systems, many small and medium farmers cannot. Therefore, he stressed the need for accessible, affordable, and scalable solutions. “Our programmes must ensure that modern irrigation systems are simplified and within reach of all farmers. Achieving this requires the collective efforts of government institutions, research centers, the private sector, and international partners.”

 

The FAO Representative reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to working closely with national counterparts and local experts throughout the project’s implementation. “During my time in Iran, I have witnessed impressive scientific progress and strong institutional capacity,” he said.

 

Toirov concluded by expressing appreciation to national and international partners. “I sincerely thank the Governorate of West Azerbaijan Province, all participants here today, and the Government of Japan for generously funding this project. We look forward to continued cooperation to support farmers in this region and contribute to the restoration of Lake Urmia.”