Tehran – Iran has extended its dryland wheat production initiative for another five years, Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri announced.

The program, which was launched in 2020 in collaboration with the Execution of Imam Khomeini Order, aims to boost wheat production in the country's rainfed agricultural lands.

Speaking at an event honoring the initiative's participants, attended by the President and other senior officials, Nouri emphasized the importance of the project for Iran's food security.

He noted that the program has already resulted in a significant increase in wheat yield and has provided substantial income for farmers.

“This initiative has covered 5.2 million hectares of agricultural land and involved over 510,000 farmers,” said the minister. “It has also led to a 40% increase in crop yield.”

He highlighted the project's sustainability, emphasizing that it does not put pressure on groundwater resources.

The senior official also outlined plans to further expand the initiative, including the adoption of more advanced agricultural techniques and the use of solar power.

Nouri further reported on various measures taken by the ministry to support farmers, such as timely payments for produce, provision of agricultural machinery, and improved access to fertilizers and electricity.