Tehran – Sustainable self-sufficiency must be the foundation of Iran's food security strategy, an agricultural expert said, emphasizing that long-term resilience is as important as increasing domestic production.

 

A faculty member at Iran's Soil and Water Research Institute said food security is built on four interconnected pillars: availability, access, utilization and food safety, and sustainability.

 

He noted that adequate food production alone cannot guarantee food security if food is unaffordable or if production practices deplete natural resources and jeopardize future supplies.

 

He stressed that raising agricultural productivity requires wider adoption of research-based farming practices, improved management of water, fertilizers, and crop protection, and greater technology transfer to farmers.

 

The expert also called for reforming cropping patterns by prioritizing crops with higher comparative advantages, lower water consumption, and stronger economic value. He identified saffron and medicinal plants as key opportunities to enhance productivity, increase export earnings, and promote the sustainable use of Iran's agricultural resources.