Rainfed Fruit Orchards in Sloping Lands: Soil Erosion Reduction, Water Harvesting and Fruit Production

Iran with 247 mm annual rainfall is an arid and semi-arid country in the world. More than 80% of Iran lands is arid and semi-arid. In addition, 755 mm of the precipitations are out of the growing season or running out from agricultural lands as runoff. About 55% of Iran’s surface is sloping lands being most prone to erosion and flood. Iran has high rank on soil erosion (15-20 tons per hectare) in the world. The damage of this erosion is about 14% of GDP. Water harvesting in sloping lands as a valuable method provides a suitable condition for the establishment of commercial rainfed orchards. However for establishment and management of rainfed fruit orchards, we should consider scientific and engineering principles such as macro and micro-catchment, land topography, supplementary irrigation, straw and organic matter, sand filters, mulch and cover crops. Presently, there are about 15.2% (386493 hectare) rainfed fruit orchards in Iran which producing more than 7.6% (1.21 million tons) of the total fruit production. In addition, these orchards mostly established in sloping lands having a key role to reclaiming lands and prevent soil erosion. Ministry of agriculture of Iran conducted a project to extend such orchards in sloping lands. Some of the fruit and nut crops (Almond, olive, pistachio, walnut and grape) are more adaptable for rainfed conditions. Slopping lands will be more suitable for fruit crops cultivation, if provided with enough supplementary irrigation. For example, there are more than 8100 hectare (bearing and non-bearing) rainfed walnut orchards in Iran that produce about 8827 tons. Advantages and limitations of rainfed fruit orchards will be discussed.