Review and analysis of policies and plans of enhancing wheat production and water productivity in Iran

Wheat is a strategic crop in Iran . As a result, various policies and plans have been developed and or implemented in Iran. In macro-level documents, attention to this crop as a strategic crop is still low. However, in the policies and executive plans within the system of those in charge of crop production , it is one of the main challenges and concerns and various policies and plan have been developed and implemented. Such as policies and plan to use more modern irrigation methods , more use of conservation agriculture, “mutation plan” of crop production in rainfed agriculture, various research-development plans with international research institutes, agro-technics and breeding programs, implementation of the plan to increase wheat self-reliance, increase, the productivity of cereals-based production systems, increase the yield and water productivity of wheat in wheat systems, and formulate policies and implement instructions related to encouraging the nominated farmers with high water productivity. Of the highlights of these policies and plans is the special attention to improving the production of rainfed crops and more involvement of the private sector and relevant institutions in improving the production and productivity of this crop. However, the results of this study show that the developed policies and plans have not been well documented, developed, and or codified, and are mostly in the form of official statements in the media or case reports and circulars. Moreover, reviewing the progress and monitoring of these policies and plans in regard to identify obstacles to their implementation, as well as their cross-sectional and sustainability in terms of work continuation, are some of the weaknesses and shortcomings of such policies and plans. In conclusion, recommendations and solutions of various categories including planning-policies and strategies to improve the yield and water productivity of wheat in the country are presented.