Current Situation of Agricultural Products and Natural Resources in Iran

Iran agricultural production has raised from 21 to 118 million MT during a 4-decade period (1978-2018) which indicates a 5.6-fold growth. In 2018, crop production, horticultural production, livestock production and fishery & aquatic production were recorded 81, 21, 15 and 1 million MT, respectively. The mean efficiency of irrigation water in the agricultural section is 56% (fluctuates between 22.5 and 85.5%). Estimates show that Iran water resources in 2050 will be available to provide food for only 45 million people, unless agricultural water productivity improve substantially to provide sustainable food security for increasing population of the country. Furthermore, reducing food loss and waste, changing consumption pattern, water harvesting and importing food as virtual water would be necessary. Annual wind- and water-driven soil erosion exceed 2.3 billion MT which is equal to 13.8 t/ha soil. Lacking sufficient investment for infrastructures, high food loss and waste, insufficient agricultural research, incongruity for production, distribution and exchange of food and agricultural products and weak competitiveness of agricultural section are most important challenges of agriculture and natural resources of the country. Improvement of current paradigms, applying agricultural experts as well as investment on agricultural R&D are main tools to overcome the constraints and develop sustainable agriculture in Iran.