First VP Urges Export-Oriented Agricultural Production

TEHRAN (Iran News) Aref made the remarks during the 64th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization. Highlighting the organization’s achievements in agricultural research, he stated that ensuring the country’s food security is not merely a slogan, but the result of measures taken in recent years in the agricultural sector—an approach that now serves as a key strategy of the current government.

Reviewing the challenges of the 1980s in agriculture, Aref recalled that at the time, the country’s strategy focused on increasing production and achieving self-sufficiency, particularly in essential commodities. He pointed to the wheat self-sufficiency celebration held in 2004 as an example. Today, he stressed, agricultural production must be planned with a realistic understanding of the country’s conditions and constraints.

Aref underlined the key role of the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization in achieving food security, noting that while the organization has made valuable contributions, the government expects more given the country’s academic and expert capacity. “Future agriculture must be smart, data-driven, and knowledge-based, while also making proper use of indigenous knowledge,” he said.

Referring to the government’s regional production strategy—particularly in agriculture—Aref noted that Iran’s free trade agreement with member states of the Eurasian Economic Union presents a significant opportunity for agricultural exports. However, he said, realizing this potential requires higher productivity and improved quality of domestic products.

He stressed the necessity of utilizing modern technologies, saying there is no alternative but to adopt and localize the latest advancements. “The country benefits from strong scientific capacity and a young workforce capable of producing the technologies needed in the agricultural sector,” he added. In this context, he called for reforming cultivation patterns with the cooperation and consent of farmers, emphasizing that water-intensive crops such as rice and watermelon should not be grown in water-scarce regions.

Addressing climate change and declining water resources, Aref noted that such conditions had been predictable for years and that international warnings had long been issued. He urged the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization to adopt a problem-oriented approach and, in cooperation with universities and research centers, provide practical solutions to adapt Iran’s agriculture to environmental conditions.

During the meeting, a report was presented on the organization’s activities, including seed production, cultivation pattern reform, applied research, adoption of modern technologies, private sector partnerships, and training programs for farmers.

Board members also approved several measures, including the audit report for the year 1403 (2024–2025), the appointment of an auditor for the 1404 (2025–2026) fiscal year, the organization’s detailed budget, implementation of a comprehensive wastewater transfer project and construction of a treatment plant at the Isfahan Provincial Research Station, the establishment of solar power plants at research centers, the implementation of an agrivoltaic project in pistachio orchards, and revisions to national standards for nursery plant and mother garden health.