Attempt to save the palm trees; Bam Dates wants a savior

Mehr News Agency – Provinces Group: Bam, a city in the east of Kerman province, is known as one of the main hubs of date production in Iran and the Middle East.

The wide -ranging palm trees not only play a vital role in the local economy, but also part of the cultural and historical identity of the people of this land. However, in recent years, the phenomenon of “dry clusters” has become a serious problem, threatening the life of the palm trees and the livelihoods of thousands of families.

This report examines the dimensions of this crisis, its causes, and scientific-acoustic efforts to contain it.

Bass; Iranian palm trees

With more than 6,000 hectares of palm trees and annual production of about 6,000 tons of dates, Bam has a significant contribution to the country's dates and global exports. Figures RabbiAnd hilele of bam, because of the high quality and unique taste, in the markets between International Are known.

The palm trees of this region of the century It's They manage date cultivation by relying on indigenous knowledge and aqueduct irrigation systems; But climate change, temperature rise, and the prevalence of pests in the last decade have created unprecedented challenges; However, the economy of the Bam people becomes monopolized and many of them are living on the basis of date production, making any damage to people's dates problems.

Investigating Dimensions of Date Clusters

Drinking of palm clusters is a complication in which fruit clusters are suddenly dried and destroyed before arriving. And that The phenomenon occurs especially in the hot months of the year.

This issue of multiple causes O Sahar Mohammad Taghizadeh, a botanical expert in a conversation with Mehr, says: Increasing air temperature to above 2 degrees Celsius causes cluster sensitive tissue burns and impaired photosynthesis.

He added: Reducing groundwater resources and increasing soil salinity due to prolonged droughts has reduced palm resistance. Also offensive activity such as beetle Tentacles Long dates and fungi that cause caries exacerbates damage.

Referring to climate change in eastern Kerman, he says: Hot winds and increased hot days and maximum air temperatures in summer are the biggest problem, while drying the local water resources has also greatly reduced moisture.

Taghizadeh says: According to the drying statistics of the clusters annually, it destroys 2 to 5 percent of the product of the east of Kerman, which means that hundreds of billions of dollars are in the Bam area only.

“The consequences of this crisis are beyond the economy, including the migration of palm trees to cities, reducing food security and destroying natural ecosystems,” he said.

Scientific research; From the laboratory to the farm

In recent years, academic researchers, agricultural experts and government agencies have They are To find a sustainable solution to this problem, one of the most prominent of these efforts is the research project of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, which began two years ago.

This research team has been able to develop a protective polymer called “Cluster Ban BiscuitThey became.

At the beginning of the clusters' growth season (April), the diluted solution is sprayed on the clusters. By creating a thin layer on the fruits, the polymer prevents the heat from quickly accessing the sensitive tissues and maintains moisture in the cluster.

In June, when the air temperature reaches its peak, the second phase of the solution Spraying It is done. This step contains anti -stress compounds that increase plant resistance and simultaneously with the solution. SprayingThe clusters are covered with a special white color. This color, by reflecting sunlight, reduces the stem temperature to 2 degrees Celsius and prevents heat transfer to fruits.

The results of field tests

In the sample palm trees of Bam, the use of this method has been able to reduce the drying of clusters by 5 % to 5 %. Also, the weight of fruits in these palm trees increased by 5 %, indicating improved product quality.

The cost of implementation of this method is estimated at about $ 5 million per hectare, but the profit from the loss of waste and increased production will offset it up to 3 times.

Bam Educational Conference; Convergence of science and experience

In order to promote this innovation, the specialized conference on the drying of dates' clusters has been held in Bam. The event was a platform for the transfer of knowledge and experience, with the participation of 4 palm trees, four agricultural experts and academic professors, and many farmers at the conference welcomed the project.

Mohammad Rezai, a palm tree with 5 years of experience, says: Last year I lost 5 % of my product, and if this method works, not only my life, but the future of my children who want to continue this job, will be saved.

He said that the year It's Farmers are left out with the problem of dry dates' clusters They are And no one is concerned about their problem and the significant amount of the product disappears; He calls for more attention in resolving the problems caused by climate change in the field of agriculture in the eastern province of Kerman.

Mohammad Ghorbani, an agricultural expert in Kerman province, also said in a conversation with Mehr: “This project has problems and if we do not support the government for farmers, we will face serious problems.”

“Many small palm trees are not capable of paying the initial fee, so it is recommended to provide low -interest facilities,” he said. “Some traditional farmers are distrustful of new technologies that are necessary to hold training courses in the countryside,” he said.

The victim added: Subsidizing the raw materials of this solution and color can reduce the final price.

The drying of dates in Bam is a symbol of the intersection of environmental and economic crises, but the cooperation of academics, executive institutions, and the palm trees shows that innovation and scientific management can overcome these challenges.