In an interview with Mehr, the head of the Agricultural Economics Research Institute
Details of 8 agricultural production mutation programs / self-sufficiency predictions in livestock vaccines
An official at the Ministry of Jihad said that in the preliminary version of the program, eight programs have been developed, including 52 projects, adding that Iran will be self-sufficient in vaccines and livestock drugs in the next three years.
According to the Mehr correspondent, the agricultural sector has the greatest capacity to achieve the “production leap” and can play an effective role in realizing this policy. Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the head of the Program and Budget Organization, also acknowledged this issue and said: “The agricultural sector has the greatest capacity and talent to reduce imports and realize the leap of production.”
According to experts in the agricultural sector, in addition to meeting domestic needs, it can play a significant role in the development of export and currency markets to the country, which can be effective in realizing production mutation policies. In this regard, we had a conversation with “Ali Kiani Rad”, the head of the Research Institute for Planning, Agricultural Economics and Rural Development of the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture and a member of the research faculty, the details of which are as follows:
In short, what is the focus of the Ministry of Jihad for Agriculture in the year of the production leap?
– Considering that the major part of agricultural imports in 1998 is related to grains, oil and corn, vaccines and livestock drugs, and to some extent sugar, we must take steps to increase production and reduce imports of these products, although some Products are possible, and for others, we face restrictions on production due to climatic conditions.
Due to the weather conditions in the country, in a 5-year plan, we can achieve 50% self-reliance in the field of oil. We also need to find a substitute for corn in the poultry diet, because the high water content of this product and the weather conditions in the country do not allow us to be self-reliant in this regard.
What exactly is going to happen in the poultry diet and how do you do it?
– We need to use modern technologies and technologies in poultry diets for some imported corn, consider another alternative and thus in addition to preventing the outflow of currency from the country to import corn, in addition to increasing productivity will reduce the cost of chicken meat production. Found.
Will you focus only on projects that will be completed in the next year, or will they include long-term projects?
– Some projects that are implemented in line with production mutation policies may be completed this year, and others may be completed within the next two years or even longer.
What is the title of the most important programs of the Ministry of Jihad for Agriculture in the year of production leaps in order to reduce imports and increase exports, which you mentioned earlier?
– One of the most important programs planned for the implementation of production mutation policies this year is the use of green water (rainwater) so that we can produce more wheat, barley, fodder and legumes in this way, while some wheat Produced in some cases, it can replace corn in poultry diets.
Increasing sugar production is another program of the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture in this area. We reached the threshold of self-sufficiency in the field of sugar in 1997, but we fell behind due to lack of proper pricing and flooding.
Do you anticipate that the lag in the field of sugar will be compensated in the next few years, and what are the biggest obstacles to sugar self-sufficiency?
– We hope to make up for the lag in the sugar production program in the next two years or so. An important issue in this regard is the need to build three factories in Khuzestan and Ilam. If we can build these factories, the problem of transporting sugar beet will be solved for long distances and will help self-sufficiency in sugar production.
You mentioned the 50% self-reliance in the field of oilseed production, what is the plan to achieve this goal?
– Over the years, good measures have been taken in the field of rapeseed production, and the development of rapeseed cultivation can play a significant role in increasing the self-sufficiency coefficient of oilseeds, while its meal can also be used in livestock and poultry diets.
What steps are you taking to develop greenhouse products and expand exports in this area?
– The production of hybrid seeds, especially for vegetable and summer crops, can lead to a jump in production of vegetable and summer crops and greenhouse crops, and will lead to the development of exports.
You mentioned the widespread import of vaccines and livestock drugs in 1998, and that there is a decline in imports in this area. Is self-sufficiency in vaccines and livestock drugs possible in our country?
– According to the memorandum signed with the Vice President for Science and Technology, we will cooperate with Danesh Bonyan Company in the field of production of biological and chemical pesticides, vaccines, drugs and livestock and poultry supplements, which will lead to the realization of production mutation policies. And it saves foreign exchange.
It is possible that the country will be fully self-sufficient in vaccines and livestock drugs. Knowledge-based companies can implement such a policy, while one of the most important programs of the Vice President for Science and Technology, which will be held this year in cooperation with the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture in the production leap, is to increase vaccine production, medicine and livestock and poultry supplements, hybrid seeds and pests. It is a biological and chemical field. We have achieved good results since we started last year, and we hope that in two to three years we will be in the field of vaccines, medicines and supplements for livestock and poultry.