Fars – Iranian researchers have unveiled "Soroush," a new cotton variety boasting high salinity tolerance, climate adaptability, and mechanical harvest compatibility, a breakthrough aimed at curbing production costs and securing the staple crop against drought and environmental stress.

 

Cotton remains a strategic asset for Fars, which produces 25% of the national output across roughly 16,000 hectares, with annual yields exceeding 52,000 tons. Major cultivation hubs include Darab, Zarrin Dasht, and Larestan.

 

Yet rising expenses and climate pressures have intensified the push for improved cultivars. After 15 years of research (2009–2024), the Soroush variety now offers growers a resilient, homegrown alternative—reducing seed import reliance, optimizing water use, and strengthening economic stability amid price and weather volatility.

 

Beyond its agronomic merits, the variety signals a broader pivot toward tech-led, self-reliant agriculture, reinforcing cotton's dual role in textile manufacturing and edible oil production while bolstering export potential.