TEHRAN – Iran has continued to increase agricultural production, particularly on irrigated land, despite worsening drought and a significant decline in water resources allocated to the sector, a senior Agriculture Ministry official said.

 

Jafar Gohargani, acting deputy for Water and Soil Affairs at the Agriculture Ministry, said improved water and soil management has helped sustain agricultural production and expand cultivation despite growing water constraints.

 

He said the ministry is shifting its focus from increasing water consumption to raising productivity through more efficient resource management, modern irrigation systems and new technologies.

 

Greater participation by the private sector and knowledge-based companies in water and soil projects is also helping accelerate the adoption of modern irrigation technologies and reduce water losses, he added.

 

Gohargani stressed that higher agricultural output does not necessarily depend on consuming more water, saying improved management, technological innovation and greater efficiency can help safeguard production and strengthen food security as drought conditions persist.