Iran Prioritizes De-Desertification Efforts with Haloculture Technology
Haloculture refers to the sustainable production of agricultural and industrial products in saline environments. It is essentially an integrated production system that makes use of diverse salt tolerant aquatic species and halophytes to produce different economically and industrially valuable products such as food and fuel and environmental services from the salt affected lands.
This useful technology, which seeks to create a balance between environmental protection and economic growth, is being developed and applied in Iran with the support of the Biotechnology Development Headquarters of the Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy.
Implementation of four projects in this regard has been prioritized in Iran with the help of knowledge-based companies.
Cultivation of salt-tolerant fodder, fish breeding with drain water, wood cultivation from salt-tolerant plants and sheep breeding in the saline environments are plans which can help Iran overcome drought.
Although immense socio-economic, industrial and environmental benefits of haloculture are increasingly becoming evident, careful ecological, cultural and economic considerations are a pre-condition for the successful implementation of haloculture-led improvements in saline environments.
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