Pistachio exports account for 50% of water exported from Iran virtually, a member of Iran Water Industry Federation, a privately-owned organization, said.
“Annually, close to 20 billion cubic meters of water are exported from Iran virtually, half of which is for selling pistachio in international markets,” Ebrahim Raisi was also quoted as saying by ILNA.
Annual pistachio production in the country is about 250,000 tons, of which 50% are exported to 70 countries, he added, noting that the production of each kilo of the water-intensive crop requires at least 80 cubic meters of water.
Raisi said self-sufficiency in food production is definitely of great importance, but over-extraction from depleting groundwater resources has already taken a heavy toll on plains and most of them are losing the battle against land subsidence.”
Water-intensive crops and fruits [such as pistachio and watermelon] should either not be farmed or be farmed in proportion to its water costs.
In a water-scarce country like Iran, water should not be wasted on growing food products that can be imported. When a country imports water-intensive crops instead of producing them, it is saving water. The procedure, referred to as virtual water trade, needs to be adapted sooner in Iran.
According to Gholamhossein Shafei, the head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, water scarcity is largely a product of poor management of water resources and imprudent consumption.
“If the current pattern were to continue, new economic, social and political problems will arise,” he warned.
"Decision-makers have often stressed the need and significance of proper management of water resources. But words are not enough to solve the crisis. Operational measures are the need of the day."
Shafei is of the opinion that water paucity is the most formidable challenge that will cripple future economic development plans.
Agricultural Methods
Agricultural methods are in need of a major overhaul. Irrigation needs to be optimized and modern techniques should replace traditional methods. Introducing mechanized systems can help contain the crisis to some extent.
Over-withdrawal of groundwater has endangered groundwater aquifers. Groundwater withdrawal, especially in protected plains, must stop. Iranian agriculture is far from economical.
Water productivity for every cubic meter of water is 850 grams at most, while the international average is 2-2.5 kilograms. Furthermore, every cubic meter of water used in agriculture creates less than 35 cents in added value while the international average is $1.
According to Mohammad Alaei, the head of Khorasan Razavi Water Company, land subsidence caused by the decline in groundwater resources has been increasing in the province and is expected to cause irreparable damage to the environment, if not addressed.
"The land in Mashhad and Neyshabour Plain [both in Khorasan Razavi Province] has subsided by 25 centimeters and 28 cm respectively, that is beyond critical levels," he said, adding that the runway in Mashhad Airport is subsiding and the whole city is in danger.
"The problem has evolved over a long time and cannot be addressed overnight. We hope short-term measures will help improve present conditions and prevent the expansion of land subsidence."
Alaei noted that people in Iran’s most important religious province have yet not recognized the scale and scope of the water crisis.
More than 30 million pilgrims from in and outside Iran visit Mashhad, the provincial capital and major shrine city, every year.
Iran is largely an arid and water-scarce country. The amount of annual renewable water resources in the country is 1,600 cubic meters (nearly one-fifth of the international average of 7,600 cubic meters).
