With an area of more than 1.6 million square km, Iran is the sixteenth largest country in the world. In the ten agro-ecological zones of the country, the cultivated area amounts to about 15 million hectares, of which over half is irrigated. A wide variety of field, fruit and vegetable crops is produced but by far the most important irrigated crop is wheat.
According to soil and land surveys, a total of about 17 million hectares of land could potentially be cultivated although most have some limitations. The main limitation to agricultural expansion is water availability not land availability. Low rainfall, high air temperatures and high evaporation rates result in a high water requirement for agriculture. Salinity and drought are among the most important environmental stresses that limit crop production in Iran.
Until recently, Iran relied heavily on wheat imports to meet its growing domestic demand. Annual imports have ranged from 2.5 to 7.5 million tonnes per annum during the past two decades, making Iran a major world wheat importer.
In the context of a policy to become self-sufficient in wheat, over the past two years the Government has raised spending on wheat farming sharply by supplying higher quality seeds, improving machinery services, augmenting fertilizer usage and enhancing water systems and pest management practices. The guaranteed procurement prices have been raised significantly.
A record wheat harvest in 2004 followed an already excellent crop in 2003, reduced wheat imports in 2004/05 to only 0.2 million tonnes. The strong government support for wheat production has played a large part in raising output but favourable rainfall during these seasons, after three years of drought, also had a major impact.
At least 40 percent of Iran's wheat is rainfed with an average yield of only 0.8 tonnes/ha. Even under irrigation the average wheat yield rarely exceeds 3 tonnes/ha, which is low by world standards. The country cannot always rely on favourable rainfall and an intensification of production providing higher yields under less favourable climatic conditions is necessary if the target of self-sufficiency is to be maintained. Balanced and efficient fertilization is a major component of such an intensification. An improvement in the efficiency of irrigation is also indicated. Water losses in conveyance and use are very high.
The consumption of fertilizers has increased by over 50 percent since 1999. The nutrient balance and provision of micronutrients has also improved. The use of biofertilizers is being promoted. However, further improvements are necessary. It is estimated that correct fertilization could increase production levels by up to 60 percent.
The Agricultural Support Services Company is responsible for providing and distributing mineral fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and improved plant varieties. The rural and agricultural cooperative network has 4 935 branches, 10 693 shops, and 11 794 units for the distribution of fuel. With around five million members, the network covers 98 percent of the villages of the country, with a population of approximately 25 million people. The cooperatives play an important role in the marketing of produce and providing services and support.
Fertilizer research in Iran is carried out mainly by the Soil and Water Research Institute. In cooperation with the agricultural universities, the Institute is carrying out research and development activities on a wide range of topics concerning the efficient use of plant nutrients.
Fertilizers are subsidized and the amount of subsidy has risen sharply with the increase in the amount of fertilizer used. There is some abuse of the system.
Unsatisfactory availability of fertilizers is a major constraint. The distribution of fertilizers needs to be improved, providing the required quantities and types of fertilizer at the time they are needed by the farmers.
