BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 2
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
About 72,000 hectares of agricultural land in Iran is planned to be supplied with pressurized water in the current month (February 19 through March 20, 2021), Iranian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jihad Alimorad Akbari said, Trend reports citing the ministry.
The deputy minister emphasized that a total of 11.7 trillion rials (about $278 million) was spent on the water supplying of these areas.
Akbari added that about 46,000 hectares of land in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province (southeastern Iran) were to be supplied with irrigation systems in the current Iranian year (March 20, 2020, through March 20, 2021). Its 32,000 hectares were supplied and launched in the 3rd month of the current Iranian year (May 21 through June 20, 2020) and 14,000 hectares are ready for launch.
“In addition, 255,000 hectares of land in the Khuzestan Province (southwestern Iran) were to be supplied with water in this year. Its 233,000 hectares were supplied with water. And the remaining 22,000 hectares will be supplied with water,” he said.
Akbari noted that Iran's budget for next year (March 21, 2021 - March 20, 2022) provides for 30 trillion rials (about $ 714 million) for land and water. If these funds are fully allocated, it will be possible to complete the implementation of many projects related to water and land.
The deputy minister stressed that according to Iran's budget projections for the next Iranian year (from March 21, 2021, through March 20, 2022), 30 trillion rials (about $714 million) are to be allocated for the implementation of the land and water projects. If these funds are fully allocated, it will be possible to complete the implementation of many projects related to water and land.
According to the official statistics, the precipitation decreased by 38 percent this year compared to the last Iranian year (March 21, 2019, through March 19, 2020), which means a severe drought, he noted.
“The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has allocated $10 million to countries in Asia and North Africa for soil management and sustainable production. Of this amount, $390,000 was allocated for Iran,” Akbari said.
