Tehran – As the effects of climate change intensify across Iran, a senior agricultural official has emphasized the urgent need to invest in and expand dryland farming (rainfed agriculture) as a cornerstone of the country’s food security strategy.

 

Dr. Mozaffar Roostaei, head of the Iranian Dryland Agricultural Research Institute, issued a stark warning about the worsening impacts of climate change on Iran’s already limited water resources.

 

He cited declining renewable water supplies, rising evaporation rates, and shifting rainfall patterns as clear signs that the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat but a present and escalating reality.

 

“Climate change is now an undeniable force with visible and destructive consequences across Iran,” Roostaei said. “With rainfall levels at just one-third of the global average and half that of Asia, efficient and strategic water management is not optional - it’s essential.”

 

He called for a national shift toward climate-resilient agriculture, highlighting dryland farming as a viable, scalable, and sustainable solution, urging senior policymakers - particularly within the Ministry of Agriculture - to adopt a comprehensive strategy for the development of rainfed agriculture, which relies on seasonal rainfall rather than irrigation.

 

He stressed that such a strategy must go beyond surface-level reforms, integrating scientific research, policy innovation, and local engagement. While new technologies and data-driven tools can support adaptation, Roostaei warned that they will be ineffective without fundamental changes in national policy, lifestyle patterns, and international collaboration.

 

“If we want to ensure food security in the face of climate change, dryland agriculture must become a strategic priority. With coordinated planning and investment, this sector can serve as a powerful tool for building resilience in vulnerable rural communities,” he added.