Tehran - Iran’s agriculture sector grew by 3.2 percent in the Iranian calendar year ending March 2025, with exports rising by 32 percent and the trade balance improving by $3 billion, Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri announced.

 

According to the Agriculture Ministry’s official website, Nouri underscored the strategic importance of domestic food production and self-sufficiency, particularly in times of crisis.

 

He pointed to the recent 12-day conflict involving Israel as a stark reminder of the need for food security, noting that Iran’s population remained calm thanks to the country's ability to meet its own basic needs.

 

Highlighting the severe food shortages in Gaza caused by Israeli military operations, Nouri warned against overreliance on foreign supply chains.

 

“The belief in a global abundance of food is an illusion. Every country must take responsibility for securing its own food supply,” he said.

 

The minister also addressed Iran’s ongoing water crisis, naming the provision of safe drinking water as the nation's top priority. He urged provincial and local authorities to work together to guarantee water access and called for reduced consumption in both government and household sectors.

 

Responding to criticism over water use in agriculture, Nouri acknowledged the concerns but emphasized ongoing efforts to improve efficiency, Tehran Times reported.

 

“Some criticism is fair. However, we must also acknowledge that agriculture is essential for national food security and cannot be made the scapegoat for all water-related issues,” he said.

 

Nouri urged ministry officials to produce accurate, evidence-based reports to inform decision-making and defend domestic production from unqualified criticism—particularly amid intensifying climate change and declining rainfall.

 

He noted that agriculture’s share of Iran’s GDP rose from 6.7 to over 7 percent—a 5.6 percent increase—and reiterated the sector’s 3.2 percent annual growth and 32 percent surge in exports, which led to a $3 billion improvement in the agricultural trade balance.

 

“Our responsibility is to ensure that the progress made in the agriculture sector is not overshadowed by broader national challenges. While some advocate for increased imports, our commitment remains firm: food security must be achieved through domestic production,” Nouri concluded.