The Deputy Minister of Agricultural Jihad says Iranian researchers are producing 98% of the agricultural sector’s needed seed kernels which is equivalent to one billion dollars.

According to The Iran Project, Seyyed Mojtaba Khayamenkoui made the remarks at the national ceremony of honoring the winners of the agriculture and natural resources sector on Monday.

According to statistics, only 2% of the hybrid seeds related to flowers and plants, equivalent to 110 to 120 million dollars, are imported annually, he stated.

The country must become self-sufficient in the production of herbs and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants, he said.

The official added, “Therefore, the country will reach new achievements by creating science and technology parks in the agricultural sector and technological companies.”

He noted that the Agricultural Research Organization with 8,000 employees and 2,000 researchers has a budget of only 70 million dollars, stressing that this important part of the agricultural sector needs an increase in budget.

According to available reports, the Agricultural research, education and promotion organization ranks 70th among its peers, 72nd in terms of innovation and 63rd in terms of research achievements in the world, he underlined.

Elsewhere in his remarks, stating that the average age of farmers has increased to 54 years, he asserted that the output of the Ministry of Science from the universities for the training of manpower required by the agricultural sector does not meet the needs of this sector.

So, we are trying to revise this issue as soon as possible, he added.