THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALMOND ORCHARDS IN IRAN

Author:	A.R. Rahemi
Keywords:	almond growing, Iran
Abstract: Iran is in Asia, in the Middle East, with a surface area of 1,648,195 km². Out of a total of 28 provinces, the almond is grown in 25 provinces, with 89,100 ha of adult yielding trees and 33,382 ha of young trees, at a 28-39˚ latitude, and 400-2500 m above sea level. Although Iran was the second exporter around 1920, in the last fifty years production has been practically steady and low. The most important limiting factors are: Almond is traditionally propagated by seeds. Poor farming and management. Low precipitation in non-irrigated areas. Most lands are marginally suitable for almond. Low temperature in March and April, which causes flower damage. Prevalence of highly damaging pests and diseases in some areas. The objective of the third 5-year development scheme, ending in 2004, is to add 36,000 ha of irrigated and 30,400 ha of non-irrigated orchards. Indeed, 20,000 ha of the old orchards have been recreated and replanted. The ultimate goal is to reach a general total of 160,000 tons in 2004.
Full Text (PDF format, 23835 bytes) Citation Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files)