TEHRAN, Jun. 18 (MNA) – Iranian Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati said on Monday that domestic agricultural products have increased by 25 percent during last five years.

Touching on the growth of agricultural productions, he highlighted that this increase is the result of improving efficiency of planting and irrigation methods.

Hojjati made the remarks on a conference held on the occasion of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought in Ahwaz, Southwestern Khuzestan province.

He went on to say that Iran has allocated some $200 million to combat desertification in Iran.

Managing aquifers, protecting the soil from erosion, improving vegetation and controlling sand and dust storms are among the main guidelines of Agriculture Ministry to fight desertification.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the minister highlighted that planting trees in SDS hotspots is among the most effective measures to fight both SDS and desertification, adding that his ministry welcomes any other idea that can be more influential in this regard.

MAH/IRN82945904