Tehran - Iran is seeking to expand agricultural technology cooperation with African countries, offering expertise in smart irrigation, greenhouse automation, and precision farming to improve water-use efficiency and boost agricultural productivity across the continent.

 

Hossein Dehghani Sanich, secretary of the Smart Agriculture Committee at Iran’s Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), outlined the country’s technological capabilities at the first National Meeting on Iran–Africa Agricultural Cooperation on Saturday. He said smart irrigation systems have been implemented on more than 15,000 hectares of farmland across Iran, with some projects undertaken in partnership with the private sector.

 

He highlighted sensor-based irrigation systems that monitor environmental conditions and crop water requirements, enabling more precise irrigation management and more efficient use of water resources.

 

Iran could also share its expertise in greenhouse design and construction with African countries, Dehghani said, stressing that proposed structures must be tailored to local climatic conditions and regional needs to minimize energy consumption and optimize the use of agricultural inputs.

 

He identified greenhouse automation and smart farming systems as further areas of potential cooperation, noting that Iran has developed the platforms and infrastructure needed to automate various agricultural production processes. Assessing the specific needs of African countries would help facilitate the transfer and deployment of these technologies, he added.

 

Dehghani also pointed to Iran’s expertise in cultivating strategic and high-value crops, including saffron and garlic, saying joint initiatives could explore opportunities to expand their production in Africa through modern technologies that improve crop yields and resource efficiency.

 

He further highlighted the development of an intelligent agricultural assistant, available through a mobile application, that provides farmers with easier access to specialized information and technical guidance to improve agricultural knowledge and farm management.

 

Calling for partnerships based on mutual benefit, Dehghani Sanich proposed establishing a joint consortium to advance cooperation in smart agricultural technologies, equipment, and solutions. The proposed consortium would bring together Iran’s scientific and technical expertise with the needs and capabilities of African countries.

 

Cooperation could include technology transfer, the development of equipment adapted to local climatic conditions, and the implementation of joint projects, helping African countries increase agricultural productivity and use water and other production resources more efficiently, he added.