Existing irrigation methods are both energy and labor intensive and due to their low productivity the country needs to change from traditional to greenhouse farming.
“Iran needs to start looking at irrigation from a different angle and to build strong ties with successful countries such as Turkey and Egypt in order to learn from their good practices and lessons”, Saeed Neirizi, the first Iranian president of international commission on irrigation and drainage (ICID) said in an interview with ILNA news agency.
Desalination: Key Objective
“Plans should be developed to desalinate water in order to meet industry, agriculture and drinking water demands; in this respect, transferring Persian Gulf water to central Iran should be considered a solution”, Neirizi added.
Investment: Key Tool
The existing irrigation methods in Iran are outdated and no longer in use across the world. In the meantime, low return on investment (ROI) in irrigation projects makes them least attractive for the investors to the extent where even international organizations are reluctant to engage in such undertakings. ICID, therefore, is making efforts to motivate investment by increasing productivity, according to Neirizi who hoped for new horizons in 10 to 15 years time.
The new approaches should not only encompass irrigation but also take into account precipitation given the level of vaporization. This may help increase food security in the world, Neirizi added.
First Desalination Plant in 3 Years
The first desalination line for transferring water from Shaheed Rajaee port to Ardakan in Yazd to meet water demands of steel and copper industries active in the region will be completed in 3 years, Neirizi said.
“In ICID, we intend to build a joint structure to facilitate research, experience and science exchange between Iran and the countries in the region. This will help achieve a new approach towards fundamental concepts of water efficiency and productivity and at the same time, encourages investment in water sector.”
On September 22, 2014, Saeed Nairizi, the one-time agriculture extension worker and now the chairman & managing director of TOOSSAB Consulting Engineers, was elected as the 23rd president of ICID by representatives from 60 countries at the 65th meeting of ICID executive council held in Gwangju, South Korea. Nairizi has an illustrious career spanning over 45 years in irrigation, drainage and water-related activities, and is considered to be an authoritative voice in all civil engineering aspects related to water. He is the first Iranian to hold the position.
