Tehran – Iran’s Nomadic Affairs Organization has announced the rollout of a new smart nomadic ID card, a digital alternative to the outdated paper booklets traditionally used by nomads to access subsidized goods and public services.

 

According to Jahanbakhsh Mirzavand, head of the organization, the initiative aims to modernize service delivery for nomadic populations while ensuring transparency, mobility, and fairness in government support.

 

“In the past, nomads depended on physical booklets, which were often impractical given the mobile nature of their lives,” he said. “The smart ID card will allow them to receive essential services—including subsidized flour, kerosene, liquefied gas, financial support, and even university entrance exam quotas—in a streamlined and portable manner.”

 

Mirzavand compared the system to the country’s national fuel rationing program, where smart fuel cards are usable across the country. Similarly, the new nomadic cards will not be tied to a single geographic location or cooperative registry, enabling users to access services from wherever they are.

 

“At present, if a nomadic cooperative is registered in a winter settlement, members must return there to receive basic supplies—even if their summer pastures are hundreds of kilometers away,” he explained. “The smart card removes that restriction and makes distribution more just and efficient.”

 

Eligibility for the card will be based on three main criteria: tribal ancestry, a livelihood centered on livestock, and a nomadic way of life.

 

Mirzavand also pointed to recent developments under the Nomadic Development Hubs program, which has expanded infrastructure in both summer and winter grazing areas. These hubs aim to help nomads maintain their traditional lifestyle while improving access to healthcare, education, and livestock markets.

 

“This initiative is ultimately about making life easier for our nomadic communities—lowering their costs, increasing their access to essential services, and enhancing productivity and income,” he concluded.