A.	NATIONAL COMMITTEE
1.	Mr. S.A. Assadollahi Secretary General Iranian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (IRNCID) No. 1, Shahrsaz Alley, Kargozar St., Zafar Ave. Tehran. Postal Code: 19198-34453 Tel: (+9821) 2225 7348 – 22250162 Fax: (+9821) 2227 2285 E-mail : irncid@gmail.com, info@irncid.org, IRNCID@neda.net.ir Website : http://www.irncid.org
B.	NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
2.	Mr. Mohammad Reza Attarzadeh Deputy Minister of Energy for Water and Wastewater Affairs I.R. Iran Ministry of Energy Chairman, Iranian Natioinal Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (IRNCID) (For address see sl. no. 1) Tel : +98 21 890 5003 Fax : +98 21 880 1555 E-mail : irncid@neda.net.ir
C.	ICID OFFICE BEARERS - HONORAIRE
3.	Prof. Javad Farhoudi Vice President Hon., ICID Department of Irrigation Engineering Faculty of Soil and Water Engineering University of Tehran Karaj Tel : +98 21 2240 8761 (Home), +98 912 213 8773 (H.P), +98 261 2220886 (Ext.206) (Office) Fax : +98 261 2220886 E-mail : jfarhoudi@ut.ac.ir
4.	Dr. Saeed Nairizi Vice President Hon., ICID Managing Director Toos-AB Consulting Engineers Co. Post Box 91775/1569 Mashad Tel : +98 511 768 4600, +98 511 768 4091/2/3/4/5/6 Fax : +98 511 768 8868 E-mail : toossab@irserve.net, s.nairizi@toossab.com
5.	Dr. Karim Shiati Vice President Hon., ICID YEKOM Consulting Engineers Head of Water Resources Department 77, North Saba Ave. Tehran 14167 Tel : +98 (21) 88900192 Fax : +98 (21) 88903815 E-mail : karim.shiati@yekom.com, k_shiati@yahoo.com
D.	MEMBERS OF ICID COMMITTEES/WORKING GROUPS
6.	Dr. Mohammad Bybordi (For address see sr.no.1) E-mail : mbybordi@yahoo.com Member : WG-DRG
7.	Dr. Kamran Emami Managing Director Kurit Kara Consulting Engineers P.O. Box 14515/1415 Tehran Tel : +98 21 44990494, 44990427, 44991027, 44991045 Mobile : +989123782584, 00989354499427 E-mails : emami@kuritkara.com, kkemami@gmail.com, kuritkara@kuritkara.com Member : WG-HIST (Chairman), WG-CAFM (Vice Chairman)
8.	Mr. Mehrzad Ehsani Secretary Iranian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (IRNCID) No. 1, Shahrsaz Alley, Kargozar St., Zafar Ave. Tehran. Postal Code: 19198-34453 Tel: (+9821) 2225 7348 – 22250162 Fax: (+9821) 2227 2285 E-mail: ehsani2@gmail.com Website: http://www.irncid.org Member : WG-WATS
9.	Mr. Ezatollah Farhadi (For address see sr.no.1) E-mail : ez_farhadi@yahoo.com Member : WG-TRUE, TF-FIN
10.	Prof. Javad Farhoudi Vice President Hon., ICID (For address see sl. no.3) Member : C-PR&P
11.	Dr. Saeed Nairizi Vice President Hon., ICID (For address see sl. no. 4) Member : PFC (Chairman), WG-DROUGHT, EB-JOUR
12.	Mr. Ali Raza Salamat (For address see sr.no.1) Tel : +98 21-88754936 (open days Saturday to Wednesday), +9821-88754937 Cell : +98 912-3502774 E-mail : salamat_ir@yahoo.com Chairman : WG-YPF
13.	Mr. Hassan Shantia (For address see sl. no. 1) E-mail : hassan.shantia@yekom.com Member : WG-ON-FARM
14.	Dr. Naser Shayan (For address see sr.no.1) Member : WG-HIST
15.	Dr. Karim Shiati Vice President Hon., ICID (For address see sl. no. 5) Member : ASRWG (Chairman); PCSPOA; WG-CLIMATE; WG-PQW
16.	Mr. Mohammed Kazem Siahi No. 38 Mehdi Nejad Lane Shahrara Forth St. Jalal al Ahmad St. P.O. Box 14466 Tehran E-mail : m_k_siahi@yahoo.com, mkazemsiahi@gmail.com Member : WG-ENV Convenor :C-CONGR
17.	Mr. Enayat Farhani (For address see sr.no.1) Member : WG-POVERTY
18.	Mr. Mohammad S. Jafari (For address see sr.no.1) Member : WG-DROUGHT
19.	Mr. Homan Khaledi MAHAB GHODSS Consulting Engineers # 16, Takharestan St. Dastgerdy Ave. Tehran Tel : (+9821) 23961654 Fax : (+9821) 23961654 E-mail : homankhaledi@hotmail.com, homankhaledi@yahoo.com, homankhaledi@gmail.com Member : WG-YPF
20.	Ms. Jaleh Vaziri Mahab Ghodss Consulting Engineering Company No. 16 Takharestan St. Zafar (Dastgerdi) Ave. Tehran Tel : +98 21 2396247 Fax : +98 21 22259691 E-mail : jalehvaziri@gmail.com Member : WG-CROP

COUNTRY PROFILE - IRAN The Islamic Republic of Iran, with a land area of about 1.65 million sq. km, is situated in the middle east region of south-western Asia. Iran is one of world’s oldest countries, with its history dating back almost 5000 years. The population of Iran is about 60.05 million (1996) of which 38.34 per cent is rural. The average rate of population growth was 2.46 % between the period 1986-1991 and 1.47 % over the period 1991-1996. The estimated population during the years 2008, 2021 and 2050 is likely to be 83.5 million, 100 million and 129.5 million respectively. The country is bordered by Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan to the north; Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east; Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf to the south; and Iraq and Turkey to the west. About 52 per cent of the country consists of mountains and deserts. The largest mountain massif is that of the Zagros which runs from north-western Iran to the shores of the Persian Gulf southwards and then continues eastwards upto the most south-eastern province. Petroleum accounts for most of the total value of Iran’s exports, while mining accounts for 25 per cent of Iran’s GNP. Service industries account for 46 per cent of Iran’s GNP and employs 43 per cent of all workers. Land Out of the total land area of the country of 165 million ha (Mha), 51 Mha is cultivable. However, the actual cultivated area of the country is about 18.5 Mha, or 36 per cent of the cultivable area. An area of 12.4 Mha comprises forests while 89.2 Mha consists of pastures, mountains and deserts. The interior plateau lies in the central and eastern Iran and occupies about half of country’s total area. Climate Iran’s climate varies from region to region. While the winter temperatures in the mountainous areas of the north-west drop as low as -29oC , the Khuzistan Plain has extremely hot humid summer with an average temperature of about 35oC. Most of the interior plateau has a dry climate, but the winters are mild and pleasant. An average of about 50 mm of rain falls on the deserts yearly. The Caspian Sea Coast is Iran’s only region of abundant rainfall of 1600 mm per year. Iran has 8 climatic zones varying from very dry to very wet. The average rainfall in the country is 250 mm. Agriculture Agriculture accounts for about 12 per cent of the country’s GNP and deploys about 36 per cent of the workers. Only about 12 % of the land can be farmed because of a severe water shortage. Wheat and barley are grown on about 75% of the cultivated land. Farmers also grow such crops as cotton, dates and other fruits, lentils, maize, nuts, rice, sugar beet, tea and tobacco. Cattle, goats, and sheep provide dairy products and meat. Water Resources Iran can be divided into the following major river basins : the Central Plateau in the middle, the Lake Orumieh basin in the north-west, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in the west and south, the Lake Hamoun basin in the east, the Kara-Kum basin in the north-east and the Caspian Sea basin in the north. All these basins, except the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, are interior basins. The Karun River forms the largest and the only navigable river that, with a total length of 890 km, flows in the south-west of the country. The rivers have torrential regime. Spring floods do enormous damage. Water is however stored naturally underground, finding its outlet in sub-terranean water canals (Qanats) and springs. It can also be tapped by wells. Internal renewable water resources of Iran are estimated at 128.5 km3/year. Surface runoff represents a total of 97.3 km3/year and groundwater recharge is estimated at about 49.3 km3/year. Iran receives 6.7 km3/year of surface water from external source, while the surface runoff to the sea and neighbouring countries is estimated at 55.9 km3/year. The actual renewable water resources are estimated to be 2040 cubic meter per year per capita. The water withdrawal from surface is of the order of the 38.3 cubic km per year while that from ground water is 43.3 cubic km per year. During the year 1997, a total of 87 cubic km per year water was withdrawn of which 94 per cent was for agriculture. The current annual abstraction from aquifers is already more than the estimated safe yield. The per capita water resources of the country is 1380 m3 per year (1993). Water Requirement and Availability The planned demand for food in Iran is based on a diet of 2700 cal per person per day which is in accordance with FAO (1996). Accordingly, some 1600 m3 per person per year of water in the root-zone is needed to allow self-sufficient food production (Falkenmark and Lundqvist, 1998). Iran is mostly an arid country and except in very limited regions, this required water has to be provided for irrigation. Taking into account this figure and referring to eight climatic zones in Iran, the per capita water need to obtain self-sufficiency is estimated as 1180 m3/year. As per comprehensive water study for Iran (Jamab, 1996) with proven sources of water which can be extracted by the country’s present technology in the main water basins, it is estimated that an amount of 121 km3/year of water can be supplied by the year 2021. Of this, 46.5 km3/year will consist of groundwater and the remaining 74.5 km3/year of surface water. This forms 88 per cent of the total renewable water resources of the country, which can be considered as the ultimate development of these resources. However, due to enormous investments required by the government, this goal can hardly be achieved. At an optimistic scale, 85% of this figure i.e. 102 km3/year would be accessible in the year 2021. The share of Agriculture from accessible water resources will reduce from 93.6 % in the year 1998 to 87.2% in the year 2021 and 81.2% in the year 2060. As a result, the amount of allocated water to agriculture sector would be almost constant : 82 km3/year (1998), 88.9 km3/year (2021) and 89.3 km3/year (2060). According to the per capita water need for self-sufficiency and the amount of water allocated to the agriculture sector, Iran potentially possesses enough water to achieve the self-sufficiency for the population of 67.47 million in the year 1998. Basin Total area (km2 % of total area Rainfall (mm/year) Rainfall (km3/year) % of total rainfall Central plateau 832,000 51 165 138 33 Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman 431,000 26 366 158 38 Caspian Sea 178,000 11 430 77 19 Lake Hamoun and Kara-Kum 150,000 9 142 21 5 Lake Orumie 57,000 3 320 21 5 Total 1,648,000 100 252 415 100 Food Security Agricultural products in 1997 in Iran amounted to 58787 thousand tons of which, 52464 thousand tons or 89 per cent of these came from 7,475,657 ha of irrigated lands and the rest 6323 (11 per cent) from 6,317,606 ha of rainfed farming. The total cereal (wheat, barley, rice and corn) production in the country at present amounts to15,692,000 tons. Although the agricultural production shows an increase of 88% from the year 1983, however, the production of cereals varied between 15.5 to 17.1 million tons during the agricultural year 1991-92 to 1996-97. The productivity per hectare of Iran’s agriculture is still relatively low compared to other MENA countries (FAO, 1997), while actually, there is substantial potential for development of productivity. Irrigation Presently, an area of 8.84 Mha in Iran is irrigated while 9.66 Mha is rainfed. The agricultural land availability is not a constraint in the development of irrigated agriculture. The major constraint is the availability of water for development of these lands. The irrigable land is estimated at more than 12 Mha. At present, the irrigation efficiency is low, being 32 per cent on an average at national level. Based on the allocation of 19 km3 per year of water to agricultural sector and increasing the average overall irrigation efficiencies to 45 per cent with a suggested optimum cropping pattern, and a nutrition scenario of 2700 calories per capita, it is estimated that there will a deficit of edibles such as rice, lentils, maize, sugar, edible oils, red meat and white meat etc. Present status and National Water Management Strategy According to Ministry of Agriculture statistics, nearly 600,000 ha of land suffers from irrigation induced salinity and waterlogging, of which only 100,000 ha has had drainage systems incorporated or being implemented. Presently, about 7.62 km3 of unused regulated water exists in the country (Ghodratnema, 1999). Some of the elements in the existing structural realities of water use in Iran are the following : Fragmentation of responsibility among different governmental agencies. Legislation for defining water rights is ambiguous and not comprehensive. Poor Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of irrigation and drainage networks. Decentralization and transfer of water use rights and O&M responsibility to communities and users has the potential to increase efficiency, improve services and raise fee collection. Enormous subsidies in water charges. Heavy subsidies have counteracted incentives to grow water-efficient crops, in terms of income per volume of water required. Low irrigation efficiency (average over-all efficiency 32%). Lack of Water Users Associations in agricultural sector. Lack of infrastructure for water delivery Land ownership and distribution are dispersed Inadequate training of water consumers Degradation of land and water is considerable. Policy The policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran during the Second Five Year Plan is that agriculture should become the center and pivot of all development activities. The main strategic objectives of the agricultural program are : Securing growth and development in a sustainable manner and conserving scarce resources; Food security through increased agricultural production; Industrial raw material supply; Increased agricultural exports and reduced imports of food through self-sufficiency; Increased farmer incomes and standards of living; Reduced waste in agricultural produce; and Increased factors of production with emphasis on services, research, training and extension. Objectives The main qualitative objectives of the water sector in the Second Five Year Plan are : Securing the water requirements of the various sectorial users of water Increased efficiency in water resource use Strengthening decision making and management capability in the water sector Actions Management-reform-related actions have been ratified by the Economic Council, and include :   Control of surface water   Inception of large water-supply projects   The implementation of catchment area (watershed) management programs   The implementation of small, feasible projects   Sewage and wastewater treatment   Implementation of artificial recharge projects   Transfer of O&M of existing networks to farmers or operating companies   Determining water charge rates on a regional and area basis   With regard to the needs of society and the water sector, special emphasis will be placed on research, training and   fundamental studies of water resources. ICID and Iran Iran became a member of ICID in the year 1955. The country has had the honour of having two Vice Presidents of ICID - Mr. A. Kahkachan (1972-1975), Prof. Javad Farhoudi (1996-1999), Dr. Saeed Nairizi (2001-2004) and Dr. Karim Shiati (2006-2009). The Iranian National Committee hosted the 28th IEC meeting and Tehran Special Session in Tehran in the year 1977. The National Committee is very active and is organizing several technical activities within its mandate. Ten members of the National Committee are being represented presently in more than 23 Work Bodies of ICID. 21st International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage, 62nd International Executive Council Meeting and 8th International Micro Irrigation Congress is scheduled to be held at Tehran in October 2011.