Agricultural Development in Iran

With the assistance of a World Bank loan of $42 million in 1960, the Dez multipurpose project on the Dez River was undertaken by the Iranian Government in an effort to promote electrical power generation, to facilitate irrigation and ensure flood control in the Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran. The project was initially designed to irrigate a pilot area of 50,000 acres, and if warranted, an additional 225,000 acres, and provide electric power to the principal towns of Khuzestan. The pilot irrigation project also included various public services, i.e., roads, agricultural research and training centres, farm extension, education and health. Moreover, aided by the Government, it would provide incentive to landowners in the area to invest in land improvement and in the building of tertiary canals and distribution systems. Of the total estimated cost of $83 million equivalent, the Bank loan will cover foreign exchange costs to complete the project, while the rest will be borne by the Government.
At the "Agro-Industry Iran and America", Safiabad, Khuzestan, the harvesting of alfalfa is seen being done with the help of machines. [c. 1972]