Tehran — The Iranian Minister of Agriculture marked National Journalist Day by praising the media’s role in supporting the country’s agricultural sector.

 

Speaking at a ceremony attended by domestic and foreign journalists on Saturday, Gholamreza Nouri underscored agriculture’s central role in safeguarding national food security.

 

“Food security, once less prominent, is now a strategic necessity recognized in our Constitution,” he said.

 

The Minister pointed to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a stark reminder of its importance, noting that Israel is using hunger as a weapon. “In full view of billions worldwide, millions of Palestinians face famine as part of a deliberate campaign of genocide”.

 

He further referred to the Seventh Development Plan in which agriculture was targeted for 5.5% growth in value-added output, saying that the sector not only met but exceeded this goal - rising from -2.4% growth last year to +3.2% this year, a net improvement of 5.6%.

 

“The sector’s share in the national economy grew from 6% to 7%, while the agricultural trade deficit improved from -$11 billion to -$8 billion.”

 

Nouri highlighted a 33% increase in agricultural exports, a 27% rise in sugar production, a 4.5% gain in crop productivity despite water shortages, and a 0.7% improvement in mechanization.

 

“Other advances included a 6% expansion in agro-processing, 12% growth in cage fish farming, and a 27% boost in caviar production. Knowledge-based companies grew by 6%, and agricultural innovation centers increased by 71%.”

 

The Iranian agriculture minister said Iran is on track to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar and red meat by the end of the current administration.

 

He noted that essential goods imports, which cost $15–21 billion annually in past years, have fallen to $8 billion.

 

“Last year, we managed $11 billion in essential imports without incurring new debt, repaying $1 billion of previous liabilities—proof of fiscal discipline and efficient resource management,” Nouri concluded.