Tehran - The Head of the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection announced that eight new plant-based pesticides have entered the final stages of development, signaling progress in expanding sustainable pest control solutions for the agricultural sector.

 

Mohammad-Reza Safarnejad said that 14 plant-based pesticides are currently in use in Iran, including two domestically produced and 12 imported products. He noted that several additional products are close to completion and are expected to enter the agricultural market in the coming years.

 

He emphasized that developing plant-based pesticides reduces dependence on imports, diversifies pest control tools, and helps prevent pest resistance.

 

Highlighting a key achievement this year, he pointed toArtemisia Eco, a domestically developed plant-based pesticide for controlling pistachio psyllid.

 

“The product has been officially registered and approved and was applied across about 3,000 hectares of pistachio orchards in its first year of use.”

 

He added that pistachios treated with the product have received approval for export to the European Union, demonstrating the importance of residue-free produce in strengthening Iran’s position in international markets.

 

The pesticide is also effective against other sap-sucking pests, including aphids and leafhoppers, though Safarnejad cautioned that alternative control options must be maintained to avoid resistance.

 

He further noted that the institute registered around 130 research and extension achievements over the past year, many of which have been translated into practical guidelines now used directly by farmers.