TEHRAN – Iranian agriculture minister has said special importance will be placed on the soil and watershed sector in the seventh National Development Plan (2022-2026), Mehr News Agency reported.

“By popularizing this sector, we will try to move towards sustainability in watersheds within 10 years,” Javad Sadati-Nejad said on Monday.

The official noted that there are good laws in the country regarding soil protection, saying: “Protecting soil is the duty of all institutions and people, so over the last 10 years, FAO has come to the conclusion that people's capacities are the most valuable factor in soil protection.”

“Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization is responsible for the protection of soil and prevention of erosion, and in the seventh National Development Plan, we will dedicate an important chapter to the protection and preservation of the soil,” Sadati-Nejad added.

Soil protection is a public duty and it is necessary to teach future generations about the value of soil and the protection and preservation of this intergenerational heritage, he stressed.

EF/MA