International Conference and Study Meeting on:

Organic Agriculture for Promoting Green Productivity and Agribusiness Exports

Code: 07-AG-32-GE-STM-B Code: 07-AG-32-GE-STM-B

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE INORGANIC AGRICULTURE INISLAMIC REP. OF IRANISLAMIC REP. OF IRAN

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGESOPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

M.MIRHOSSEINIM.MIRHOSSEINI

23-27 July 200723-27 July 2007New Delhi, IndiaNew Delhi, India

Organic agriculture in IranOrganic agriculture in Iran

Iran is the second largest country in the Iran is the second largest country in the Middle East, with an area of 1.65 million Middle East, with an area of 1.65 million square km. It has been a centre for the square km. It has been a centre for the evolutions of agriculture, people engaged in evolutions of agriculture, people engaged in agriculture first settled here some 10,000 agriculture first settled here some 10,000 years ago. Since Iran spans a wide range of years ago. Since Iran spans a wide range of latitudes and longitudes, it also has a latitudes and longitudes, it also has a diverse range of physiographic, climate, diverse range of physiographic, climate,

vegetation and biological productivityvegetation and biological productivity . .

Diagram1. Land types ratios of IranDiagram1. Land types ratios of Iran

forests7%

agricultural land 14%

rangelands 56%deserts and

degraded lands 21%

urban areas lakes and other lands

2%

Over 18 million ha of land are used for agriculture, Over 18 million ha of land are used for agriculture, producing 65 million tones of food, from field crops producing 65 million tones of food, from field crops to horticultural products, for a population of 70 to horticultural products, for a population of 70 million. Iran ranks thirtieth in the world in terms of million. Iran ranks thirtieth in the world in terms of the amount of production, and eighth based on the the amount of production, and eighth based on the diversity of products. Currently, 3.4 million farmers diversity of products. Currently, 3.4 million farmers in Iran cultivate 18.5 million ha. Although traditional in Iran cultivate 18.5 million ha. Although traditional agriculture still operates in some areas of so-called agriculture still operates in some areas of so-called ignored organic farmer’s, this has not been ignored organic farmer’s, this has not been recognized as organic agriculture. Small-scale recognized as organic agriculture. Small-scale ignored organic farming system’s product more ignored organic farming system’s product more than 80% of agricultural products. than 80% of agricultural products.

The below diagram shows some of the agricultural products, The below diagram shows some of the agricultural products, which despite the fact that they are produced without usage of which despite the fact that they are produced without usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, they do not have organic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, they do not have organic certificationcertification..

51000

87522

60000

30396

7062415

169607

247864

57622

239

53670

65736

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

fig almond mulberry walnut saffron medicinalplants

Area[ha]

Production[ton]

Unfortunately, as in most other developing countries, Unfortunately, as in most other developing countries, application of agrochemical products is huge in application of agrochemical products is huge in Iran. For example, over 27 000 tons of pesticides Iran. For example, over 27 000 tons of pesticides were used during 2000/01 and the country spent were used during 2000/01 and the country spent US$ 125 million on pesticide imports in 2002US$ 125 million on pesticide imports in 2002..

The data as diagram 3 highlight the need for The data as diagram 3 highlight the need for assessing and implementing alternatives to assessing and implementing alternatives to agrochemicals (pesticides and mineral fertilizers) agrochemicals (pesticides and mineral fertilizers) and the need for development of more integrated and the need for development of more integrated safe approaches for agriculture in Iransafe approaches for agriculture in Iran..

Diagram 3 . Ratios of pesticide types Diagram 3 . Ratios of pesticide types usage in Iranusage in Iran

herbicides30%

insecticides32%

others6%

nematicides2%

rodenticides4%

fungicides20%

acaricides6%

A successful example of organic A successful example of organic agriculture in Iranagriculture in Iran

An example of private sector activities in recent years An example of private sector activities in recent years is constructing olive orchards organically in Qom is constructing olive orchards organically in Qom province on the edge of central desert of Iran, which province on the edge of central desert of Iran, which technologically and scientifically is quite unique technologically and scientifically is quite unique according to different Iranian news agencies. Its according to different Iranian news agencies. Its average yield is 10 tons/hectare, which is 40% average yield is 10 tons/hectare, which is 40% higher than Europe, and 300% higher than Iranhigher than Europe, and 300% higher than Iran..

Organic growing in this farm is by a new patented Organic growing in this farm is by a new patented method called "Fertilizer channel". In this method, method called "Fertilizer channel". In this method, plant remains and animal fertilizers in a channel plant remains and animal fertilizers in a channel with specific dimensions prepare the roots of plantswith specific dimensions prepare the roots of plants..

Fadak farm has received attention from Fadak farm has received attention from domestic and foreign scientific-domestic and foreign scientific-

research organizationsresearch organizations..

Iranian government considering organic Iranian government considering organic agriculture advantages, and has taken policies agriculture advantages, and has taken policies regarding joining foreign markets and WTO, regarding joining foreign markets and WTO,

namelynamely : :1.1. Heightening awareness of farmers and experts regarding Heightening awareness of farmers and experts regarding

organic farming. organic farming. In this regard, development of the new "Ecological In this regard, development of the new "Ecological

agriculture" field in two universities, workshops and training agriculture" field in two universities, workshops and training programs for farmers is being undertaken in a not very programs for farmers is being undertaken in a not very broad level.broad level.

2.2. Discontinuing subsides on chemical fertilizers and Discontinuing subsides on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.pesticides. During recent years subsides on most pesticide have been During recent years subsides on most pesticide have been eliminated, and in July, 2007, discontinuance of subside on eliminated, and in July, 2007, discontinuance of subside on chemical fertilizers was announced.chemical fertilizers was announced.

3.3. Expansion of production of useful insects in order to reduce Expansion of production of useful insects in order to reduce usage of pesticides.usage of pesticides.

At present, tens of small & large useful insects' production At present, tens of small & large useful insects' production units are active in the country.units are active in the country.

4.4. Support & reinforcing non-governmental organizations.Support & reinforcing non-governmental organizations. In 2007, "Iran Organic Association" was established with the In 2007, "Iran Organic Association" was established with the

aim of expansion of organic agriculture.aim of expansion of organic agriculture.5.5. Research.Research. There is no comprehensive and acceptable There is no comprehensive and acceptable

research activity being performed on methods of production research activity being performed on methods of production of organic products by agricultural research institutions of of organic products by agricultural research institutions of the country.the country.

Strengths of the country for fully developing Strengths of the country for fully developing the organic agriculture sectorthe organic agriculture sector

1.1. Iran is a vast country which spans a wide range of latitudes Iran is a vast country which spans a wide range of latitudes and longitudes and also has a diverse range of and longitudes and also has a diverse range of physiographic, climate, vegetation and biological physiographic, climate, vegetation and biological productivity. productivity.

2.2. The 70 million population and the several billion population The 70 million population and the several billion population of the whole Asia continent is a very vast consumer market of the whole Asia continent is a very vast consumer market for Iranian organic products.for Iranian organic products.

3.3. Because of relative advantages in some horticultural Because of relative advantages in some horticultural products, particularly dry foods, Iran has a long history of products, particularly dry foods, Iran has a long history of production and export of pistachios, peanuts, almonds, production and export of pistachios, peanuts, almonds, saffron and etc.saffron and etc.

4.4. 80% of agricultural products in Iran are produced by 80% of agricultural products in Iran are produced by ignored organic farmers.ignored organic farmers.

Weakness of the country in fully developing Weakness of the country in fully developing the organic agriculture sectorthe organic agriculture sector

1.1. There is no specific organization for official supervision on There is no specific organization for official supervision on organic production in the country. organic production in the country.

2.2. Lack of related laws & regulations on organic production in Lack of related laws & regulations on organic production in the country.the country.

3.3. Lack of scientific organizations certified by world & Lack of scientific organizations certified by world & European standards for issuance of organic products European standards for issuance of organic products certificates.certificates.

4.4. Inadequacy of the culture for organic product consumption Inadequacy of the culture for organic product consumption among various classes of the society, both consumers & among various classes of the society, both consumers & producers.producers.

5.5. Lack of research & execution funds. Lack of research & execution funds. 6.6. Lack of low-cost facilities.Lack of low-cost facilities.7.7. Lack of equipped labs for measuring residues of pesticides Lack of equipped labs for measuring residues of pesticides

and toxins.and toxins.

Organic agriculture strategy for IranOrganic agriculture strategy for Iran

For effective expansion of organic food production, and in For effective expansion of organic food production, and in order to provide incentives for farmers, the most important order to provide incentives for farmers, the most important priorities for Iran are listed below:priorities for Iran are listed below:

Training and education,Training and education, for the public, farmers, organization for the public, farmers, organization and the government, from school to higher education levels.and the government, from school to higher education levels.

Standards and regulations. Standards and regulations. Today, the basic standards of Today, the basic standards of the IFOAM are used, more or less in the same way in the IFOAM are used, more or less in the same way in different countries. Proper national organic standards, rules different countries. Proper national organic standards, rules and regulations, based on internationally accepted and regulations, based on internationally accepted standards should be carefully developed for organic standards should be carefully developed for organic growers in Iran.growers in Iran.

Certifying organizations.Certifying organizations. Establishment of national and local Establishment of national and local certifying organizations with affordable services for certifying organizations with affordable services for inspection, certification and improving facilities is needed on inspection, certification and improving facilities is needed on Iran. Under current international organic regulations and Iran. Under current international organic regulations and labeling, subsidized government inspection and certification labeling, subsidized government inspection and certification can be expected. Certification is expensive and needs to be can be expected. Certification is expensive and needs to be designed and developed predominantly for the needs of the designed and developed predominantly for the needs of the international market.international market.

Marketing.Marketing. Viable producer and consumer linkages and Viable producer and consumer linkages and marketing of organic products must be developed nationally marketing of organic products must be developed nationally and internationally. Efficient trade regulation that is sociallyand internationally. Efficient trade regulation that is socially fair, ecologically sound needs to be designed. fair, ecologically sound needs to be designed.

ConclusionsConclusions

Today, there is growing concern and demand for healthy food, Today, there is growing concern and demand for healthy food, both from policy makers and the public. Demand for national both from policy makers and the public. Demand for national and international organic food sources is a driving force and international organic food sources is a driving force requiring further consideration in Iran. Trends are emerging for requiring further consideration in Iran. Trends are emerging for production of organic herbs, spices, dried fruits and nuts for production of organic herbs, spices, dried fruits and nuts for export. To comply with this demand, international regulations export. To comply with this demand, international regulations must be considered and proper national standards should be must be considered and proper national standards should be implemented. The development cost is often a major constraint, implemented. The development cost is often a major constraint, i.e. product development costs, including extension and i.e. product development costs, including extension and training, are currently far too high for local private sector training, are currently far too high for local private sector investment at current market size in Iran.investment at current market size in Iran.

Iran has a long history of ecological agriculture, stretching Iran has a long history of ecological agriculture, stretching back 10,000 years. A return to such ecological production back 10,000 years. A return to such ecological production systems in Iran could be a way to protect the fragile local systems in Iran could be a way to protect the fragile local environments, and may be the most important reason for using environments, and may be the most important reason for using these systems as they could potentially provide benefits these systems as they could potentially provide benefits technologies for everybody on Earth.technologies for everybody on Earth.