Tabriz University develops smart robots to slash agricultural pesticide use

https://en.maj.ir/late/Tabriz-University-develops-smart-robots-to-slash-agricultural-pesticide-use

East Azarbaijan - Researchers at the University of Tabriz have developed a series of smart spot-spraying robots capable of detecting weeds with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine vision and applying pesticides only where needed, potentially cutting pesticide use by up to 95 percent. Hossein Behfar, a faculty member of the university’s Biosystems Engineering Department, said the technology was developed following 18 years of research by the department’s researchers. The robo

Sep 20 202607:08

Microorganisms offer new potential to strengthen food security, sustainable production

https://en.maj.ir/editor-choice/Microorganisms-offer-new-potential-to-strengthen-food-security,-sustainable-production

Tehran – Microbial technologies can help improve the quality and efficiency of livestock production, support healthier and more sustainable food systems, and strengthen food security, according to an Iranian livestock research official. Hadis Motshefi, head of the Animal Products Processing Research Department at Iran’s Animal Science Research Institute, said food security is not limited to the volume of food produced, but also encompasses quality, safety, efficiency and sustainabi

Sep 18 202608:58

Iran, Belarus move to expand agricultural science, tech ties

https://en.maj.ir/--Archive-/Iran,-Belarus-move-to-expand-agricultural-science,-tech-ties

TEHRAN – Iran and Belarus are seeking to deepen scientific, technological and trade cooperation in agriculture, with a focus on technology transfer, knowledge-based companies and technical exchanges. The issue was discussed at a meeting between Gholamreza Gol-Mohammadi, deputy agriculture minister and head of the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), and Belarusian Ambassador Dmitry Kaltsev. Gol-Mohammadi said AREEO is ready to expand joint research and t

Sep 15 202610:47

Iran cuts agriculture’s reliance on petroleum fuels by 61 percent

https://en.maj.ir/-News/Iran-cuts-agriculture’s-reliance-on-petroleum-fuels-by-61-percent

TEHRAN – Iran has cut the agricultural sector’s reliance on petroleum products by 61.2%, significantly reshaping its energy mix under the country’s development plans, an Agriculture Ministry official said. Abolfazl Faraji, deputy head of the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), said petroleum products accounted for 93% of the sector’s energy consumption at the start of the development plans, compared with just 7% for electricity. Today,

Sep 15 202610:44

Iran’s livestock sector accounts for 35 percent of agriculture: Official

https://en.maj.ir/News/Iran’s-livestock-sector-accounts-for-35-percent-of-agriculture:-Official-

Tehran – Iran’s livestock sector accounts for more than 3% of GDP and about 35% of the country’s agricultural sector, the head of the Animal Science Research Institute said. Hassan Khamis-Abadi said the sector is vital to food security and employment and has the potential to contribute more than 18 million tons to agricultural production. He stressed that livestock feed varieties should be assessed across the entire production chain, taking into account yield, resistance to

Sep 15 202610:38

Iran eyes sugar self-sufficiency through autumn beet cultivation

https://en.maj.ir/ Archive/Iran-eyes-sugar-self–sufficiency-through-autumn-beet-cultivation

TEHRAN – Iran is seeking to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production while reducing agricultural water consumption by expanding autumn sugar beet cultivation and developing alternative natural sweeteners, a senior agricultural research official said. Abazar Rajabi, head of the Sugar Beet Seed Research and Improvement Institute, said the strategy is part of Iran’s broader food security and water-management plans. Iran aims to increase the area under sugar crops—including

Sep 13 202612:18

Iran’s agricultural output rises by 7m tons: Deputy minister

https://en.maj.ir/-News/Iran’s-agricultural-output-rises-by-7m-tons:-Deputy-minister-

Tehran – Iran's crop and horticultural production increased by 7 million tons over the past year, despite drought, erratic rainfall, economic challenges, sanctions, and wartime conditions, according to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Crop Production. Speaking at the 32nd Annual Conference of the Dryland Agricultural Research Institute in Maragheh, Majid Anjafi credited the achievement to the synergy among farmers, researchers, experts, and administrators. He noted that the incre

Sep 8 202612:09

Markazi province Iran’s sole bean genetic reserve: Official

https://en.maj.ir/late/Markazi-province-Iran’s-sole-bean-genetic-reserve:-Official

Markazi – Markazi Province, in the center of Iran, is the only repository of Iran's bean genetic resources, housing between 1,800 and 2,000 genotypes, according to the head of the province's Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center. Dr. Davoudi-Rad said that the province also holds the country's most important backup pomegranate gene bank in Saveh, with 840 varieties, giving it a unique role in national food security and agricultural independence. “Under I

Sep 8 202612:02

Artemia farming gains ground as Iran eyes sustainable aquaculture future

https://en.maj.ir/editor-choice/Artemia-farming-gains-ground-as-Iran-eyes-sustainable-aquaculture-future

Tehran – The resurgence of Lake Urmia, northwestern Iran, has reignited hopes for Iran's Artemia industry, with officials pushing for expanded farming operations and the use of unconventional water sources to build a sustainable, export-oriented sector. Lake Urmia, the sole natural habitat of the endemic Artemia urmiana, has risen by over one meter this year, offering a ecological and economic boost to the region. Yet salinity remains critically high, far above optimal levels for reprodu

Sep 8 202612:00

Iran introduces 150 new crop varieties for dryland farming

https://en.maj.ir/--Archive-/Iran-introduces-150-new-crop-varieties-for-dryland-farming

Maragheh — Iran’s Dryland Agricultural Research Institute has introduced nearly 150 new crop varieties, highlighting the growing role of dryland farming in strengthening the country’s food security. Speaking at the institute’s 32nd annual gathering in Maragheh, Gholamreza Salehi Jouzani, Deputy for Research and Technology at the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), said Iran has approximately 6 million hectares of dryland farmland, making

Sep 7 202609:59