Hussain Hazbavi Farmers and palm grove owners in the southern city of Shadegan are calling on Iran’s Water Organization to allocate adequate water quotas for irrigating their date palm orchards, amid growing concerns over drought and water mismanagement.
Local growers say that the lack of proper irrigation is putting thousands of palm trees at risk of withering, threatening their livelihoods and the region’s agricultural economy. Shadegan, located in Khuzestan province, is known for its extensive palm groves, which play a vital role in both local food production and exports.
“We’ve received no clear response from the authorities, and our trees are dying,” one farmer told Ahwaz News Agency. “Without water, this land is useless.”
The farmers warn that continued inaction could lead to irreversible damage to the region’s date industry, which is already facing challenges from extreme heat, soil salinity, and falling groundwater levels.
They are urging the government and the Khuzestan Water and Power Authority to respond quickly and transparently to their demands and to prioritize the needs of Shadegan’s agricultural communities.
