Pursuing a joint programme with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for sustainable water resources management in the Urmia Lake basin, FAO Representative to Iran, Mr Gerold Bödeker, visited two provinces of East and West Azerbaijan on a three-day mission for an overview of on-the-ground initiatives to save water, prevent sand and dust storm and grow alternative crop. 

The activities visited during this three-day trip included walnut orchard grafting in Esfahlan Village in the western suburbs of Tabriz, enhanced irrigation network for apple orchards located in north of Urmia County, combat sand and dust storm on the western shores of Urmia Lake, and pilot plantation of the low-water-demanding plants as well as a dredging project on the rivers flowing into Urmia Lake conducted on the south-western parts of Urmia Lake.

The walnut orchard grafting project commenced two years ago in Esfahlan Village in East Azerbaijan Province presented an outstanding example of how scientifically examined interventions could successfully reduce water usage by half and increase water productivity threefold. More than 10000 have so far been included and based on the promising results achieved through this project, there is a plan to target another 30000 walnut trees in the following year.

The new pressurized irrigation system planned for vast apple orchards in Hesar Bahram Khan Village in West Azerbaijan Province provides an opportunity to halve the amount of water required for cultivating the orchards.

The FAO Representative also visited the site established on the western part of dried lakebed of Urmia Lake, a highly prone area to wind erosion where 120 Ha were planted with windbreakers to prevent sand and dust storms from forming. 

Considering the government-led efforts to reduce water use of the agricultural sector in Urmia Lake basin, the pilot plantation of low-water-demanding plants such as saffron and medicinal herbs not only reduced the average amount of evapotranspiration but also increased the income of the farmers.

Dredging rivers flowing into Urmia Lake to increase the inflows of water was another visited project. Being implemented by the Ministry of Energy, this project upon its completion, will be able to control the volume of water that is going to be allocated for agricultural activities, while at the same time guaranteeing the release of water into the Lake.

All these activities are part of collective national and international efforts to restore Urmia Lake, a multidimensional endeavour encompassing issues such as water scarcity, water productivity, water accounting, and rural livelihoods that FAO contributes through the project “Integrated Programme for Sustainable Water Resources Management in Urmia Lake Basin,” which is funded by the Government of Japan.