TEHRAN Inattention to market demand has resulted in the destruction of agricultural produce, the chairman of the Majlis Agricultural Commission said on Sunday.

MP Shakibayee told IRIB that the country is now witnessing a crisis in the agricultural sector due to inadequate plans which have failed to properly estimate demand in local and foreign markets.

He said that due to the lack of a comprehensive agricultural production program, there is an imbalance between demand and agricultural production.

Shakibayee said that no report has yet been issued about government price guarantees for agricultural products during the current Iranian year (started March 21).

Since the government has not guaranteed that it will buy the agricultural products, there is little incentive to invest in this area.

Under such circumstances, the government should subsidize farmers, Shakibayee added.