An estimated 1.09 trillion rials ($30.3 million) has been allocated to the drought-hit South Khorasan Province to implement plans to curb the impacts of drought in the eastern province, governor-general of the province, Vajhollah Khedmatgozar, said. The funding proposal was made last year during President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to the region to help tip the scales in favor of South Khorasan in its 17-year struggle with drought, the official was quoted as saying by Shabestan news agency. It was approved about two weeks ago at a Cabinet meeting. About $3 million have been set aside to complete the Siahou Dam in Sarbisheh County and a similar amount has been allocated for the construction of eight greenhouses. If done right, well-irrigated greenhouses can help trained farmers grow essential crops using little water in drought-stricken regions. Greenhouses erected in Gandini, Kenya, by the Red Cross Society attest to their effectiveness against drought. Another $8.3 million will be spent on projects to transfer potable water to rural districts with 5,000 households.
