(INSTITUTE FOR WATER AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FALAT(PLATEAU
SHAHRYAR BASTANI
PHD IN IRRIGATION
*HEAD OF INSTITUTE*
ALI BAGHERIZADEH
MSc IN IRRIGATION ENGINEERING
(IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE)
FARINOUSH ASKARI
MSc IN PLANT PATHOLOGY
ALIREZA MALEKINIA
TECHNICAL
MOHADESE HOSSEININIA
PHD IN WATER ENGINEERING
(IRRGATION AND DRAINAGE)
HAMI KHOSRAVI
MSc IN ARCHITECTURE
IT SPECIALIST
TECHNICAL
REZA HOJATIPOUR
متخصصین و همکاران موسسه
The Falat Institute for Water Research and Sustainable Development is a private research organization in the agricultural sector, officially and permanently licensed by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology of Iran. Founded in 2003, its mission is to translate science into practice to help enhance water efficiency and crop yield in a sustainable and high-quality manner within the agricultural sector
In Iran’s climate, the main limiting factor for food production is water scarcity. This challenge has led to agriculture consuming the majority of the country’s water resources. Unfortunately, much of the water used is lost due to evaporation during or after irrigation. As a result, the institute has focused its core activities on minimizing irrigation losses to boost productivity
Water scarcity has long threatened both habitation and agricultural activity across the Iranian Plateau. Our ancestors dedicated generations of effort to overcoming this, most notably through innovations like qanats—underground water channels built painstakingly over decades. Qanats sourced water sustainably from natural overflows of groundwater reserves, supporting millennia of stable agricultural development
However, the expansion of deep wells has shifted water extraction from the overflow to the heart of the aquifers. Combined with population growth and food self-sufficiency policies, this has dramatically accelerated the depletion of groundwater resources—formed over tens of thousands of years—within mere decades
This looming threat to agriculture and civilization itself stems largely from scientific lag in policy and technological adoption. To counter this, the Falat Institute proposed a strategic plan titled “Water Strategy for Food Self-Sufficiency and Sustainable Development” and submitted it to the Center for Strategic Studies of the President's Office. The plan aimed to demonstrate how food security could be achieved with significantly less water by increasing irrigation efficiency. With proper policy support and pricing reforms, this could curb over-extraction and safeguard Iran’s future
The plan drew on experiences managing groundwater crises in the U.S. and integrated water research collaborations in Germany. It was positively received and forwarded to Iran’s Management and Planning Organization. While experts welcomed it—especially in contrast to the costly and ineffective water projects of the past—ministries failed to support its implementation, preferring inward-focused initiatives that secured budget allocations without confronting long-term crises
Subsequent administrations exacerbated the issue, with policies like legalizing thousands of new deep wells in restricted zones. Lack of opposition from the public and experts sealed the fate of Iran’s precious aquifers
After over 15 years of effort to avert collapse, the institute had to accept the harsh reality. Its operations shifted to managing and minimizing damage in a post-crisis landscape. Maximizing water productivity and crop yield—previously one of its key goals—now became the central focus
Even before its founding, the institute had begun developing subsurface clay pipe irrigation to reduce evaporation. As the groundwater crisis worsened, the institute expanded its practical work to other irrigation methods: drip, sprinkler, and traditional systems
While reducing water loss improves irrigation efficiency (defined as crop weight per volume of water), this must also raise crop yield (yield per hectare) to be economically viable for farmers. To achieve that, soil fertility must be improved. Healthy soils must be low in harmful salts and rich in decomposed organic matter (humus), which supports microbial life and plant growth
Since bio-compost contains the highest levels of humus, the institute began producing it over a decade ago. In dry regions where high alkalinity locks essential micronutrients, this compost must be fortified with sulfur, micronutrients, and soil-enriching bacteria
Another key focus has been removing salt accumulation around plant roots, which blocks water and nutrient uptake. The institute carried out practical trials on effective leaching techniques with minimal water use—essential in areas suffering from increasing salinity
We believe Iran still has enormous potential to increase food production—but science must be translated into practice. This can’t happen with slogans alone. There’s a major disconnect between academia and the farming sector. This gap prevents universities from understanding field challenges and hinders the development of capable experts
To bridge this divide, the institute emphasizes model implementation based on these principles
On-the-job training for professionals-
Accurate problem diagnosis-
R&D-driven solution testing-
Applied research that ensures careful, calculated knowledge transfer-
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