Traditional agriculture in Iran and development challenges for organic agriculture

Abstract

Iran occupies a vast area of land with diverse climatic conditions, encompassing a variety of production practices and rich biological diversity. Traditional agriculture was widespread less than 50 years ago and is still appreciated by some farmers (called 'ignored organic farmers') in Iran. However, such practices have been ignored in the context of current concepts of organic agriculture. It may be impossible or not economically viable to return Iran to traditional production systems, but the long history of environmentally safe production systems could provide an incentive to increase development of organic agriculture and sustainable production systems in Iran. It will not be a question of whether the organic movement continues to grow in Iran (as it has in other countries), but meeting the challenges required to keep pace with this growth without fundamentally challenging or threatening the overall principles of organic agriculture.