TEHRAN– The Minister of Agriculture said that private sector traders and entrepreneurs have become the standard-bearers and frontrunners in protecting the people’s food security and livelihoods during wartime conditions.

According to IRNA from the Ministry of Agriculture, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh met at the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture with Samad Hassanzadeh, the chamber’s president, board members, and other members. They discussed the process of producing and supplying basic commodities, the status of warehouse reserves, the registration process for essential goods, and market conditions.

The Minister of Agriculture, expressing gratitude for the efforts and support of traders and entrepreneurs, especially in the agricultural sector during the third imposed war period, stated: "The private sector once again stood alongside the government and the people at a historic and critical juncture, fully supporting the people’s livelihoods and food security."

Noting that all basic commodities are now abundantly available in the market, he added: "Many entrepreneurs, during both the 12-day war and the Ramadan war, distributed basic goods widely in the market with minimal profit margins and even at no profit, so that the market would not face a price shock due to the war."

Nouri Ghezeljeh praised the sense of responsibility and the role played by the private sector in the country’s crisis conditions, saying: "Private sector traders and entrepreneurs have become the flag bearers and vanguard in protecting the people’s food security and livelihoods during wartime, and they did not allow the market’s calm and stability to be disturbed in the slightest."

Referring to the favorable state of the country’s basic commodity reserves, he said: "The strategic policy of the government is to support the private sector. Relying on this strategy, with the help of the people and economic activists, and through the cooperation and consultation of the Chamber of Commerce, just as we managed the difficult years of sanctions over the past four decades, we will also overcome the steep pass of this imposed war."

During the meeting, the president and a number of chamber members presented an analysis of the situation of basic commodities in global and domestic markets. They expressed appreciation for the support of the government and the private sector, the facilitation of the registration process for orders, imports, and customs clearance of goods at the country’s ports, the implementation of the preferential foreign exchange rate plan, as well as the programs and actions of the Ministry of Agriculture in facilitating and accelerating trade affairs, market management, and ensuring food security during wartime conditions.

Also on April 5, the Minister of Agriculture, referring to the experience of a challenging year marked by two wars, stated that despite having a population of 90 million, Iran has so far faced no shortage in the supply of essential goods and food.

According to IRNA reporting from the Ministry of Agriculture, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh added in a consultative meeting with members of the Parliament's Agricultural Committee: "The UAE, with a population of only a few million, faced food shortages and empty store shelves, and even the occupied territories have encountered a major crisis in the area of essential goods."

The Minister of Agriculture, citing the experience of a challenging year and the occurrence of two wars, identified the management of supply and customs clearance of essential goods as the key factor in maintaining market stability.

According to the report, the meeting emphasized the need for sustainable production and continuous supply of essential goods, as well as the President's order to maintain a minimum inventory of 6 million tons of essential products, support for people's livelihoods under wartime conditions, and the strengthening of the resistance economy in the agricultural sector through cooperation between the government and the parliament.

Simultaneously with the American-Zionist aggression and attack on Iran, government bodies are seeking to manage people's livelihoods and support the economy through policies focused on facilitating and accelerating service delivery.

EF/MA