Iran's Kermanshah Farmers Expand Almond Output to Cope With Drought

KERMANSHAH, Iran — Farmers in western Iran's Kermanshah province are expanding rain-fed almond orchards as an alternative to water-intensive crops, according to provincial agricultural authorities. Almond cultivation now covers about 5,500 hectares, with this season's harvest expected to exceed 12,000 tons. Officials said more than 80 percent of newly planted orchards have been established under dry-farming methods, using late-blooming commercial varieties such as Shahrud 7, Shahrud 12 and Tono to protect against late spring frosts. Production is concentrated in the semi-arid Zagros Mountain districts of Ravansar, Dalahu, Javanrud, Sahneh and Kangavar, at elevations of 1,200 to 2,000 meters. Agricultural experts said dry orchards yield around 1,100 kilograms per hectare, compared with 2,200 kilograms under irrigation, and called for integrated pest management programs to address threats including the almond seed wasp and bacterial canker. They added that because most of the crop is sold raw to traders, growers do not benefit from downstream processing. Experts are recommending cooperatives, cold storage facilities and contract farming models to develop a "Zagros Almond" brand targeting the Iraqi market and regional exports.