Iran's Ministry of Agriculture announced a significant increase in crop yields from dryland farming, reaching 8 million metric tons (mt) this year.
Faramak Aziz Karimi, head of the Ministry of Agriculture's office for grains and staple crops, attributed the rise to better planning and increased rainfall, emphasizing its impact on the country’s agricultural output.
Aziz Karimi reported that dryland farms produced approximately 6 million mt of wheat, 1.2 million mt of barley, 0.34 million mt of legumes, and over 0.1 million mt of oil seeds and medicinal herbs. Notably, forage crop production in these areas hit an all-time high of 0.24 million mt, a milestone Karimi described as a major success for Iran's agriculture sector.
Iran heavily relies on dryland farming for its wheat supply, and this year’s figures underscore the importance of these farms in sustaining national food security. According to the latest government data, total wheat purchases from domestic farmers have exceeded 11.5 million mt as the harvest season comes to a close.
The increase in dryland crop yields is part of a broader trend of agricultural growth in Iran. The country's agriculture output rose by nearly 20% in the year leading up to March, reaching over 130 million mt. This expansion is a key element of the government's strategy to diversify the economy away from oil revenues.
Iran’s customs office (IRICA) has reported a 33% increase in agricultural exports during the five months leading up to August 21, with the value of exports totaling $1.453 billion. This surge in exports further highlights the significant strides Iran is making in strengthening its agricultural sector.