Zahedan – The Head of Iran’s Fisheries Organization (IFO) highlighted the immense potential of southeastern Sistan and Balouchestan province, particularly its coastal areas bordering the Sea of Oman, for the development of fisheries, aquaculture, and marine agriculture.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for an intensive shrimp farming project in Dashtiari County, Hossein Hosseini emphasized that this initiative aims to harness the agricultural and fisheries capabilities of the Bris region.

He further noted that this positive and impactful endeavor has the potential to revolutionize the local economy, generate employment opportunities, promote sustainable development, and pave the way for the region's progress, as well as increasing agricultural and fisheries production nationwide.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture revealed that over 30,000 hectares of Class 3 lands, unsuitable for conventional agriculture, have been allocated to shrimp farming in collaboration with local communities across four southern provinces and Golestan Province. He also mentioned that the current average shrimp yield per hectare is 4 tons, but with the implementation of intensive farming projects, this figure is expected to reach approximately 60 tons per hectare.

Hosseini reiterated that Sistan and Balouchestan province, especially its coastal regions, possesses substantial potential for the expansion of fisheries, aquaculture, and marine agriculture.

The intensive shrimp farming project in Sistan and Balouchestan was officially launched on Wednesday, September 28, 2023, with the participation of the Deputy Minister and Head of the Fisheries Organization, officials from the Jihad Development Institute, and other provincial and national authorities in the Bris region of Dashtiari County. This project is a joint venture between the Development Institute and the Iranian Fisheries Organization.