TEHRAN (ISNA)- Iran and France agreed on increasing agricultural exports to western Europe, said Iranian Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati.

�$15 million of Iran's agricultural products were exported last year and the amount is expected to rise to $30 million by the end of this year (which ends on March 21, 2016),� Hojjati said.

Multiple climatic zones allow Iran to cultivate a variety of crops and fruits. The country is the lead grower and exporter of several agricultural products, including pistachios, saffron and raisin.

Since 1979, Iran has been following a self-sufficiency and food production drive but a series of challenges, including inefficient land governance and nagging drought, have hampered the effort.

Agriculture accounts for 13% of Iran�s GDP and over 20% of its employment.

By ISNA