Iran imports 100,000 tonnes of crops through cross-border farming programme

Iran has imported around 100,000 tonnes of agricultural products through its cross-border farming programme, according to Minister of Agriculture Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh.

Speaking during a joint meeting with members of the Iranian Parliament’s Committee for Internal Affairs and Councils, the minister stated that the first shipments of crops produced under the initiative had entered the country from northern routes. The imports included approximately 60,000 tonnes of barley and 40,000 tonnes of oil products.

Nouri Ghezeljeh said Iran is increasing the number of partner countries involved in the development of cross-border agriculture as part of a broader strategy aimed at securing stable food supplies.

He also pointed to favourable agricultural conditions during the current farming season. The Minister said sufficient rainfall had improved prospects for crop production this year, while extensive measures had been implemented to combat agricultural pests and diseases, particularly wheat rust.

According to IRNA, a partner of TV BRICS, around 85 per cent of Iran’s food security currently depends on domestic agricultural production, with imports accounting for only 15 per cent of national demand. Officials emphasised that these figures demonstrate the strategic importance of supporting local agricultural producers.

The minister further highlighted the expansion of digital and smart management systems within the Ministry of Agriculture. He said electronic monitoring and information systems are now playing an increasingly important role in market regulation, production oversight, distribution control, and improving transparency across the agricultural sector.