Drought may slash anticipated 107m tons agro output: official

TEHRAN - Agricultural yield may not reach the figure estimated for the current Iranian year (started March 20, 2008), Iran’s Agricultural Jihad Organization’s deputy for Industries and Infrastructural Affairs Farid Ejlali said here on Tuesday.
“Because of the drought we are witnessing this year, the goal for cropping 107 million tons of agricultural products may not be realized,” he said, while adding that this may also affect Iran’s plans to reach self-sufficiency in the field of agricultural products.
Currently 86 billion cubic meters of water required for agricultural use is being supplied from wells, springs, surface waters, aquifers, and dams.
“This year considering that we are facing drought in Iran, we have concentrated our efforts and policies toward saving water,” Ejlali explained.
“To date, water was mostly regarded as a means to generate electricity in the country, but we should shift this viewpoint,” he said.
--------Cargo shipment at Abadan Port surpassed 2,000 tons in one month
AHVAZ – 2,801 tons of various commodities were loaded and unloaded at Abadan Port within the time period between March 20 and April 19 (Farvardin month of Iranian calendar).
This figure shows a 20 percent fall compared to the same period in 2007.
According to the released report 1,613 tons of various products were imported into the port and 1,188 tons were exported respectively showing one percent rise and 37 percent drop respectively.
Also in the same period, 188 ships crossed this port showing a 35 percent rise in comparison with the past year