Tehran – Iran plans to double its overseas farmland to two million hectares by 2029, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Reza Fotouhi, who oversees overseas farming projects at the Ministry, said that this expansion is part of a five-year vision plan aimed at reducing Iran's reliance on food imports.

“By 2031, Iran aims to source 10 million metric tons of food imports through overseas farming operations. Currently, the country cultivates approximately 228,000 hectares of land in other countries,” he said.

The official added that lands used for corn farming in Brazil by Iranian companies had reached 50,000 hectares, adding that the country is also engaged in overseas farming of barley, oil seeds, and soybean in Kazakhstan and also in smaller projects in Belarus and Russia.

Iran's push to expand its agricultural footprint comes as the country faces growing domestic food demand and potential threats from climate change and international sanctions. By securing overseas farmland, Iran seeks to ensure its food security and reduce its vulnerability to external factors.