East Azarbaijan - As Iran grapples with acute water shortages and the continued drying of Lake Urmia, an agri-tech company based in Khosrowshah, East Azarbaijan Province, has emerged as a leading example of resource-efficient, high-quality food production.

 

Focusing on sustainable farming, food security, and a shift in cropping patterns, Yashil Kesht Fanavar Sahand is using hydroponic innovation to help ease pressure on water resources and contribute to broader efforts to revive Lake Urmia, according to a report carried by the official webiste of the Agriculture Ministry. 

 

At the heart of its operations is a hydroponic system based on the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), where plants grow without soil and are continuously supplied with a nutrient-rich solution. The method significantly improves nutrient uptake and reduces water consumption to just 2 liters per kilogram of produce, compared with 350–480 liters in traditional agriculture. Product quality has also risen, supported by routine testing of wastewater and irrigation water.

 

The controlled-environment system cuts energy use by 50-70 percent while doubling overall productivity. The company’s crops—including French lettuce and Italian basil—are produced with very low nitrate levels and meet high safety and health standards.

 

A seven-tier vertical greenhouse layout maximizes output; every 100 square meters yields the equivalent of one hectare of open-field cultivation. An isolated growing environment and advanced lighting technology eliminate the need for chemical pesticides, ensuring clean, organic produce. Full greenhouse automation enables remote management, reduces labor requirements, and further boosts efficiency.

 

With dramatically lower water and energy consumption and consistently high yields, Yashil Kesht Fanavar Sahand is positioning itself as a national model for sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture.