Tehran - In a press conference marking Government Week, the Iranian Minister of Agriculture affirmed that ensuring food security is the foremost responsibility of any government.

 

Speaking at the Ministry of Agriculture’s press briefing, Gholamreza Nouri emphasized the 14th government’s commitment to transparency and honesty, stressing that the ministry is dedicated to providing clear and comprehensive responses to questions and concerns in the agricultural sector.

 

Highlighting the global relevance of food security, Nouri pointed to the crisis in Gaza, where people are under pressure from a “weapon of hunger.” He stressed that even a few days of disrupted food supply can trigger disaster in any country.

 

Nouri acknowledged the significant challenges Iran faces in securing its food supply, citing unprecedented droughts and macroeconomic limitations. Despite these obstacles, he praised the dedication of all stakeholders—from small-scale rural and nomadic producers to large-scale suppliers, distributors, and related industries—who have collectively ensured the stability of the nation’s food supply chain.

 

The minister reported that the agricultural sector grew by 5.6 percent by the end of the Iranian year 1403, reversing a previous decline of 2.4 percent to achieve a positive growth of 3.2 percent.

 

He also highlighted notable achievements including a 27 percent increase in sugar production, growth in dairy and protein products, and a 32 percent rise in agricultural exports last year.

 

“In the first four months of the current year, agricultural exports grew by approximately 11 percent, while the sector’s trade balance improved by $3 billion, narrowing the deficit from $11 billion to $8 billion.”

 

Concluding his remarks, Nouri expressed gratitude to all agricultural stakeholders for their tireless efforts and expressed hope that the sector’s growth and contribution to the national economy would continue through ongoing collaboration.