On Iranian Agriculture

Abstract

From July to November, 1959, the author made a field investigation in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan as a member of the Kyoto University Scientific Expedition. On the basis of that investigation, this manuscript gives an outline concerning Iranian agriculture. The climate of Iran is arid, outside the districts along the shore of the Caspian Sea, so it is unsuitable for agriculture. Excepting for petroleum, other mineral resources have not been exploited to the fullest extent in this country; moreover, no industrial development can be seen, except some government-managed factories. Agriculture, therefore, forms the basis of the country's national economy: 80 per cent of the Iranian population (19, 500, 000) are peasants, and about a fifth of them are nomads. This country lags far behind other countries in socio-economic growths, which can also be seen in her agriculture. Although most of the peasants of this country are under the management of a few powerful landlords, the agricultural production still remains at a very low stage. In recent years, a new plan to construct farming villages has been made by the Iranian government, which will provide for the extension of irrigation facilities, the improvement of agricultural technique, and reforms of the farm-land system. As this is a country where the feudal system is still retained with tenacity, the author feels that he must call attention to what these results will be.