Tehran, Iran, Jul. 9
By Milad Fashtami - Trend:
Iranian government has purchased 4.8 million tonnes of wheat from domestic farmers from the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21) so far.
The figure shows a 78 percent increase compared to the same period of time previous year, Iran's IRNA News Agency reported on July 9.
Deputy Industry, Mine, and Trade Minister Abbas Qobadi said that the government has paid for over 3.9 million tonnes of the mentioned amount.
"Wheat purchase in southern provinces of Bushehr and Hormozgan has been finished," he explained.
The Iranian government has reportedly launched 712 centers for purchasing wheat from farmers in 31 provinces.
By producing 10.5 million tonnes of wheat, Iran reached self-sufficiency in wheat production in 2004 and during the presidency of Mohammad Khatai.
But according to Iran's current president, Hassan Rouhani, the country's output decreased by one million tonne per year since 2004 and now the country needs to import 7.2 million tonnes to meet its domestic demands.
According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Iran produced 14 million tonnes of wheat in the previous calendar year (which ended on March 20).
However, during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency Iran reportedly submitted false reports to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in regards to the country's wheat output.