Economy of Jazireh-ye Qeshm

percent)K public services (16 percent)K and wholesale and retail trade (9 percent) as the largest sectors. Only 2.1 percent of the economically active population were women. Of these, 61 percent were employed in the public services, social and personal services sectors.

Close to half the population was 14 years of age and below. The average size of households in terms of number of persons was 5.1. Some 90 percent of the households owned their own houses. Some 26 percent of the population lived in urban areas and 74 percent in rural areas. The educational level has also increased.

Agriculture

Agriculture on Qeshm Island is restricted by several factors. The land on the island is classified as marginal and soils are poor in quality. The lack of water is even more restricting.

Of the total arable land, some 80 percent is under cultivation. The remainder is left unused due to shortage of water and lack of funds. Of the total area of Qeshm Island, only 2.1 percent is under cultivation as crops and orchards. Irrigated crops include vegetables and summer crops. Non-irrigated land is in most cases used for the cultivation of barley.

Livestock products of the island consist mainly of milk, dairy products, meat and manure revenue from these activities comprise nearly two thirds of the net income generated from agriculture. Qeshm Island is rich in respect of forage production compared with the production of agricultural crops.

Nearly two thirds of the total net income comes from animal husbandry. The estimated annual wage per worker in agriculture is some IRI 1.5 million per year. This low income level leaves no room for savings and investments in the sector by the people involved. Unless