Tehran: Official statistics reveal a 7 percent increase in the mechanization coefficient of Iran’s agriculture sector during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration. This rise saw the coefficient move from 292 horsepower per hectare in the Iranian calendar year 1402 to 311 horsepower per hectare in 1403, concluding on March 20.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, despite this growth, experts highlight continuing challenges in adopting modern agricultural technologies in Iran. They suggest that expanding mechanization could help reduce product waste, boost productivity, and lower production costs. However, they point out that inadequate infrastructure and financial constraints for farmers remain significant barriers.

The mechanization coefficient, a crucial metric, measures the mechanical power available per hectare of farmland, including tractors, combines, and other equipment. Recent growth in this index has directly impacted higher productivity, reduced costs, and improved product quality. Yet, only 30 percent of Iran’s farmlands currently utilize mechanized equipment, in contrast to about 80 percent in developed countries.

Officials attribute the 19 horsepower per hectare increase in 1403 to government support measures such as loans for equipment purchases, machinery renewal programs, and the introduction of modern technologies. Statistics show that over 650,000 tractors and combines are now part of the country’s agricultural fleet, including 30,000 grain and rice combines, 99 percent of which have been registered recently.

Additionally, around 2,500 types of machines and implements are employed across various sectors, including farming, horticulture, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture.