Tehran – In their first joint meeting, Iran's deputy ministers for crop production and water & soil agriculture emphasized water as the "central issue" of ministry policy, calling for greater synergy to implement the national cropping pattern and develop smart farms.

 

Majid Anjafi, Deputy for Crop Production, said that despite last year's severe drought, energy crisis, and social pressures, agricultural output reached 139 million tons — a major achievement.

 

Citing new research, he noted that many field crops, including watermelon, are low-water-consumers, while some orchard crops are water-intensive.

 

Anjafi stressed that smart farm development requires combining expertise: his deputy defines cropping patterns and crop choices, while the Water & Soil Deputy introduces technology and modern irrigation systems.

 

Safdar Niazi Shahraki, Deputy for Water & Soil, called for reforming the agricultural utilization and insurance systems, saying repeated loss compensations on certain lands show the need to revise cropping patterns and support policies.

 

He highlighted major national irrigation projects in western, northwestern, and northern Iran, stressing that infrastructure completion and utilization system strengthening are essential.

 

"Iran's water and soil are limited and must be managed scientifically," Niazi Shahraki said, urging action on soil salinity, water retention basin management, and water recycling.