Agricultural production in Iran has increased strongly over the past four decades. As a result, officials describe this growth as historic. According to Gholamreza Salehi, farming output expanded rapidly after 1979. He spoke while marking the Islamic Revolution anniversary. Salehi serves as a senior official in agricultural research and development. Therefore, he highlighted long-term planning and steady investment. In 1979, Iran produced about 25 million tons of farm products. Today, output has reached nearly 130 million tons.
As a result, national food supplies have improved significantly. Moreover, farmers now meet domestic demand more effectively. At the same time, farmland expansion remained limited. The cultivated area grew from 10 million hectares to 14 million hectares. This change equals only a 40 percent increase. However, output grew far faster during the same period. Because of this gap, experts stress the role of efficiency. In particular, research helped farmers raise yields.
Agricultural production improved through better seeds and tools. In addition, education programs strengthened farmer skills nationwide. Furthermore, training sessions taught farmers modern planting and harvesting methods. Consequently, waste levels declined across many regions. Meanwhile, irrigation systems also improved steadily. As a result, water use became more efficient and reliable.
Another major factor involved knowledge-based companies. Over time, their numbers rose from 700 to 8,000 firms. Notably, about ten percent focus on farming and food industries. Therefore, innovation reached farms faster than before. These firms developed new solutions for soil, water, and crops. In turn, farmers adopted smarter practices. Additionally, cooperation between researchers and farmers increased. As a result, research moved quickly into real-world use.
Officials say these changes strengthened food security. Moreover, they reduced pressure on food imports. Horticulture also showed clear progress. For example, fruit and vegetable yields improved year after year. Thanks to better planning, farmers responded faster to market needs. Consequently, product quality also improved. Agricultural production now supports rural jobs more effectively. Therefore, farming remains vital to economic stability.
Looking ahead, experts expect continued growth. If investment continues, output should rise further. Ultimately, officials see agriculture as a strategic sector. For this reason, long-term support will continue nationwide. Agricultural production stands as a clear example of sustained national development. As a result, it remains central to future planning.