Smart irrigation needs smart policies in Iran | Science
Iran’s agricultural sector is facing a significant challenge as it accounts for over 85% of the country’s water usage, yet the efficiency of this water use is alarmingly low. The current water productivity stands at just 1.35 kg of crop yield per cubic meter of water, which starkly contrasts with the global average that ranges from 2.0 to 2.5 kg/m3. This inefficiency is particularly concerning given Iran’s ambitious National Food Security Plan, which aims to reduce agricultural water consumption by 30 billion cubic meters by the year 2032. To achieve this goal, the Iranian government is turning to smart irrigation (SI) technologies that incorporate data analytics and, in some cases, sensors to optimize watering practices. These technologies are designed to minimize waste and enhance water productivity, potentially revolutionizing how crops are irrigated.
However, the implementation of smart irrigation technology in Iran’s predominantly smallholder farming context may face significant hurdles. While the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze data and predict environmental conditions offers a potential path to better resource management, there are concerns that the plan may not be effectively tailored to the realities of small-scale farmers. Many of these farmers lack access to the necessary technology and training to utilize SI systems effectively, which could lead to wasted public resources and ultimately undermine the efforts to improve both water and food security. Without addressing these critical barriers, Iran’s ambitious goals may remain unattainable, leaving the agricultural sector at risk of continued inefficiency and vulnerability to water scarcity.
In summary, while smart irrigation technologies present a promising solution to Iran’s water management challenges in agriculture, the success of such initiatives hinges on their adaptability to the needs of smallholder farmers. The government must ensure that these technologies are accessible and practical for the majority of its agricultural workforce to avoid a potential failure that could exacerbate existing water and food security issues.
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Agriculture accounts for more than 85% of Iran’s water use, but water productivity—crop yield per unit of water used—is only 1.35 kg/m3 (1), which can reach more than 2.0 to 2.5 kg/m3 at the global scale (2). To align with its National Food Security Plan, Iran aims to reduce agricultural water consumption by 30 billion m3 by 2032 (3) with smart irrigation (SI) technology that uses data and, in some cases, sensors to adjust watering, reduce waste, and enhance water productivity (4). SI would also use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze data, make predictions of future environmental conditions, and better manage the supply for crops. Despite its potential, this plan is likely to fail in Iran’s smallholder farming context, wasting public resources and undermining efforts to improve water and food security.
