Tehran- Iranian Minister of Agriculture Gholamreza Nouri on Tuesday issued a key message, highlighting the resolve of his ministry to deploy all its capacities in pursuit of the growth and development of the agricultural sector.

 

What follows is the full text of his message:

 

We give thanks to Almighty God and express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the grace and benevolence of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei toward the Government and the agricultural sector on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Mab’ath. We believe that His Eminence’s message to the Government on this occasion has opened a new chapter for the Fourteenth Government. His repeated emphasis on the centrality of economic issues and livelihood challenges has further reinforced the Government’s resolve to address this long-standing and chronic problem.

 

Within this framework, the Ministry of Agriculture, under the Fourteenth Government, recognizes that the enemies of the Islamic Revolution - beyond military aggression - have targeted the nation’s food security, livelihoods, and the people’s daily sustenance. Accordingly, the Ministry will mobilize all its capacities to advance the growth and development of the agricultural sector, as the most people-centered economic sector of the country and one that holds substantial potential for resolving many of Iran’s economic challenges.

 

As the institution responsible for safeguarding food security and food sovereignty, the Ministry of Agriculture plays a pivotal role in improving household livelihoods, expanding productive investment, promoting economic development, generating employment, creating national wealth, and strengthening the country’s independence, particularly under the special conditions governing the current international system. In light of this responsibility, over the past 18 months the Ministry has adopted transformative policies and orientations, including maximum, stable, people-based, and knowledge-based production. Through the dedicated efforts of selfless managers, committed farmers, elites, associations, and unions within the agricultural sector, effective and results-oriented measures have been implemented to enhance household livelihoods, and these efforts will continue and be further reinforced.

 

In line with these objectives, the Ministry has established specialized working groups in the fields of production, commerce, education, technical affairs, support, infrastructure, and knowledge-based development at its headquarters. At the same time, it has placed on its agenda the systematic guidance and follow-up of the Supreme Leader’s directives and the transformative missions of the agricultural sector, with the aim of achieving food security and sovereignty and realizing the annual 5.5 percent growth in agricultural value added stipulated in the Seventh National Development Plan.

 

We firmly believe that the agricultural sector, given Iran’s unique climatic features, including its four-season diversity, and the country’s historical role as a major food supplier to the Middle East (the region’s granary), possesses exceptional capacity to serve as a driving force of economic growth within the framework of the resistance economy and as a viable alternative to oil-dependent revenues.

 

It is hoped that, by steadfastly pursuing the Leader’s instructions, we can further strengthen the movement toward improving and enhancing household livelihoods, so that, through increased domestic production and job creation, the country’s food security and food sovereignty are fully realized and consolidated.

 

In closing, while expressing gratitude to Almighty God for granting us the opportunity to serve the people, I once again extend my appreciation to all colleagues across this precious land, from the Ministry’s headquarters to service centers in villages nationwide. I assure the noble people of Iran, the Leader, and the service-oriented Government that, as in the past, firm, responsible, and transformative steps will continue to be taken to ensure the sustainable supply of agricultural products and livestock inputs.

 

Gholamreza Nouri

Minister of Agriculture