Iran: Self-sufficiency in barley production to be achieved by the end of 2006/07

Agriculture Jihad Minister Mohammad Reza Eskandari said July 30 that Iran would achieve self-sufficiency in barley production by the end of the 2006-07 crop year, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) released August 01.

According to IRNA's morning newspaper 'Iran Daily' edition of July 27, the minister told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with his Palestinian counterpart on bilateral cooperation that the Ninth Government had not delineated policies and procedures for barley production in the 2005-06 crop year, "but we are hopeful that self-sufficiency will be attained next year."

He also said that wheat production is expected to increase by 400,000- 500,000 tons in the current crop year over figures from last year.

"This year some 1.7 million hectares of farmland were brought under barley cultivation," he said, adding the country is also expected to become self-sufficient in livestock feed production thanks to an increase in domestic maze and hay supply.

He said no permits had been issued for barley imports since the beginning of this year (late March), adding the present imports are conducted on the basis of last year's permits.

02 August, 2006