TEHRAN – Iranian exemplary farmers were honored in a ceremony which was held in Tehran on Monday, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Eighty one individuals active in the fields of farming, gardening, animal husbandry, fishery, land and watershed management, as well as trade were honored in the 30th national conference on introducing exemplary farmers.

First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati, and 831 persons from 76 agricultural subsectors participated in the ceremony.

Producing healthy products, elevating water and soil efficiency, preserving soil, and applying modern irrigation methods were some factors for selecting the exemplary farmers.

Addressing the conference, Hojjati said Iran can become self-sufficient in production of wheat.

Earlier, Hojjati said that by producing over 90 million tons of agricultural products per year, Iran is among ten top countries in the world.

In September 2015, Iranian Deputy Agriculture Minister Mohammad-Ali Tahmasbi said Iran’s horticulture export is forecast to hit $2 billion by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2016).

During the three past years, there has been a drastic increase in Iran’s horticulture output with date, pomegranate, kiwi, grape, saffron, and tea, having the lion’s share, Tahmasbi highlighted.

In the previous Iranian calendar (March 2014-March 2015), over 16 million tons of fruits, vegetables and herbs was harvested in the country, the official noted.

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CAP: Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati addresses the 30th national conference on introducing exemplary farmers. (Photo: IRNA)