Tehran – The executive of Iran's Dryland Crop Production Jumpstart Plan has revealed that a staggering 60% of the world's agricultural products are cultivated on rain-fed lands.

Faramarz Azizkarimi, discussing the extent of dryland cultivation in Iran, stated, "Our country has between 8.5 and 9 million hectares of arable dryland. However, only about 6 million hectares are cultivated annually, leaving the rest fallow."

He further highlighted the global trend of rain-fed agriculture, noting, "Approximately 80% of the world's arable land is managed under rain-fed conditions. In other words, only 20% of global agricultural land is irrigated, yet 60% of our food comes from these non-irrigated areas."

When comparing Iran to other countries with similar climates, Azizkarimi pointed to Australia as a prime example of successful rain-fed agriculture. "Australia has regions with rainfall patterns similar to ours," he said.

Azizkarimi explained that following severe droughts in the 1980s, Australia adopted conservation agriculture or no-till farming. This approach aims to optimize the use of rainwater, improve soil health, and increase soil moisture retention. "By leaving crop residues on the soil surface as an organic cover, evaporation can be reduced," he added.

Crop rotation was also identified as a crucial strategy for dryland farming. Azizkarimi emphasized the benefits of diversifying crops, stating, "By cultivating new crops such as legumes, lentils, alfalfa, and oilseeds like safflower, camelina, and canola, we can improve crop diversity and enhance soil health."