Majlis Approves New Agriculture Minister

The Iranian parliament on Tuesday gave a vote of confidence to Mohammad Ali Nikbakht as the new minister of agriculture. 
President Ebrahim Raisi’s proposed candidate received 198 votes in favor and 40 against out of a total of 248 parliament members present during the open session, with 10 abstentions and no spoilt ballots, IRNA reported. 
Nikbakht in his remarks mentioned that Iran’s agriculture was in dire need of serious revamping led by experts of the field who can utilize online data and the latest technological developments to bring about structural change. 
“Accidental and unplanned food production cannot guarantee food security in the country,” the new minister said. “We need to take care of limiting factors inhibiting sustainable production.”
The official pointed out that he would fight corruption, break up monopolies in the supply of raw materials, preserve human capital and involve the private sector for more efficient agricultural operations. 
He said he would introduce innovative and tried-and-tested agricultural practices to the sector and improve water management. “We cannot condemn producers to execute governmental decisions.”
Raisi dismissed the former agriculture minister Javad Sadatinejad back in April after he failed to control and manage the prices and supply of food items.