Tehran – Iran aims to cut agricultural and food losses by 50 percent by 2032 under its National Knowledge-Based Food Security Document, Deputy Agriculture Minister Akbar Fathi announced at a regional ministerial meeting in Turkey.

 

Speaking at a conference on reducing post-harvest losses and improving supply chain efficiency, attended by ministers and senior officials from 20 countries, Fathi highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and rising food costs.

 

Citing FAO estimates that 13 percent of global food production is lost between harvest and market, he stressed the need for stronger action to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

 

Fathi said Iran is implementing measures to reduce losses across the agricultural value chain, including a national program to minimize wheat losses during harvesting. According to him, each one-percent reduction in wheat harvest losses would add about 140,000 tons of wheat to the country’s supply.

 

He also emphasized the role of advanced technologies such as IoT, smart sensors, cold-chain systems, nanotechnology, and blockchain in reducing losses and improving supply chain management.

 

Fathi reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to cooperate with regional partners through technology exchange, scientific collaboration, and joint investment in harvesting and packaging technologies.