Food Security Recognized as a Pillar of National Power

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking at a meeting of senior officials at the Iranian Fisheries Organization, part of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, Nouri Ghezeljeh highlighted recent national defense achievements and underlined the ministry’s responsibility to ensure food security for the population.

“Our foremost duty is to guarantee food security for our people,” he said. “The Ministry of Agriculture Jihad will mobilize all its resources to fulfill this mission.”

The minister stressed that supporting domestic production remains critical, especially in the current climate of external pressures. “The most significant aspect of passive defense lies in strengthening local production so we can meet the nation’s food demands through our own capabilities,” he explained.

Paying tribute to the memory of national martyrs, Nouri Ghezeljeh also pointed to the fisheries sector’s vital role in food security. “Today, everyone recognizes the importance of food security. Fisheries are a main provider of protein for society, and their development and support for local producers are among the ministry’s top priorities,” he added.

Acknowledging the recent efforts to invigorate the fisheries sector, the minister praised the new leadership at the Iranian Fisheries Organization. “The organization’s new head has shown an understanding of its mission and significance, and the steps taken so far are commendable,” he said.

Nouri Ghezeljeh announced plans to hold a dedicated meeting soon with senior fisheries managers. “This session will offer a more focused review of the challenges in the fisheries field and explore practical solutions for its development,” he noted.

Hamzeh Rostampour, head of the Iranian Fisheries Organization, emphasized the sector’s central role in ensuring food security and boosting economic growth. “Fisheries are the backbone of livelihoods in underprivileged regions and a vital source of foreign currency,” he said.

Reflecting on the sector’s performance during a recent 12-day national crisis, Rostampour credited coordinated planning over the past nine months for the ministry’s effective response. “The satisfaction expressed by citizens and officials shows the results of sustained effort and planning,” he remarked.

He identified three key lessons learned from the crisis: “First, the broad solidarity and unity among people; second, the necessity of ongoing attention to production issues; and third, the undeniable role of food in safeguarding national security.”

“Food forms the foundation of a country’s security, making comprehensive support for agriculture essential,” Rostampour stressed.

He also noted that fisheries go beyond just fish production, describing them as integral to the nation’s economy, society, and food security. “By utilizing resources like saltwater, barren lands, and coastal areas, fisheries generate valuable protein and income,” he explained.

Rostampour highlighted the sector’s efficiency, noting that it produces high yields of animal protein with minimal water consumption. “With 20,000 fishing vessels, 500 processing and value-added factories, and over 260,000 aquaculture farmers and fishers active in the industry, fisheries significantly improve livelihoods in border and underdeveloped areas,” he said.

The head of the fisheries organization revealed that a comprehensive guide to provincial fisheries capacities has been prepared to attract investors. He also noted that incomplete and inactive projects have been identified, and strategic fisheries task forces have been set up in coastal provinces under the leadership of provincial governors.

Among strategic plans, Rostampour listed the expansion of caviar fish cage farming, support for deep-sea fishing, and cooperation with the armed forces to enhance the sustainable use of marine resources.

He added that the foreign currency needs of the Ministry’s Trade and Commerce Deputy could be fully met by seafood exports if the necessary frameworks are in place.

Finally, Rostampour pointed to the potential of Chabahar in shrimp farming and its planned expansion into coastal villages. “Our aim is to increase efficiency in water and land use and transform production through structural reforms,” he concluded.