The cultivation of the country’s strategic crops and drought- and water-stress-resistant varieties

Given the growing challenges of water scarcity and the strategic importance of agricultural production, the efficient management of water resources in the agricultural sector has become a top priority. In this regard, the University of Zanjan has taken an important step toward achieving sustainable and drought-resilient agriculture through the implementation of innovative projects. This approach not only helps conserve water resources but also improves crop productivity and yield, providing a practical model for agricultural development under water-scarce conditions.

In line with the optimal management of water resources and the enhancement of agricultural productivity, the lands of the University of Zanjan have been equipped with various irrigation systems. The distribution of these systems is as follows: 67 hectares equipped with a fixed classical sprinkler irrigation network 9 hectares equipped with a center pivot irrigation system 4 hectares equipped with a Vilmor irrigation system 2 hectares equipped with a Neofit advanced irrigation system 45 hecters equipped with a Drip irrigation system

Neofit irrigation system

Center pivot irrigation system

A Model for Sustainable Agriculture and Optimal Water Management Continuing its efforts in optimal water management, the University of Zanjan’s educational and research farm has implemented a wheat cultivation project utilizing fertigation and drip irrigation (tape) methods for the past several years. This initiative is designed to boost water and nutrient efficiency and improve crop performance under the province’s water-scarce conditions. This method involves aligning row cultivation with the irrigation tape, ensuring precise delivery of water and fertilizer directly to the root zone. This approach significantly curtails evaporation and deep percolation, resulting in substantial savings of water and fertilizer when compared to conventional techniques. The adoption of this model represents a significant stride towards fostering sustainable agriculture and enhancing drought resilience within the province.

Separation of Green Space Water Supply from Potable Water To control and optimize water consumption, the university’s green space water supply system has been completely separated from the potable water network. This segregation allows for the maximum utilization of treated water from the granular package system, reducing reliance on potable water sources for non-essential uses. This is an effective step towards achieving the goals of sustainable development and smart water resource management at the university.