Tehran - Iran has significantly ramped up its autumn sugar beet cultivation, with over 31,700 hectares of land currently under cultivation, according to a senior agriculture official.

Hesadi, the executive of the Sugar Crops Project at the Ministry of Agriculture, announced that planting began in early October and is expected to continue until late December.

To address growing water scarcity, the government is promoting innovative agricultural practices, including seedling cultivation for sugar beets, he added.

“This technique involves cultivating seedlings in controlled environments before transplanting them into fields. By shortening the growth period and reducing the need for frequent irrigation, seedling cultivation can significantly reduce water consumption while boosting crop yields.”

This shift towards sustainable agricultural practices aligns with the government's broader efforts to ensure food security and environmental sustainability in the face of increasing water stress.