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/late/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

Sturgeon breeding revolution: Micro-caesarean techniques bring Beluga back to the Caspian

https://en.maj.ir/editor-choice/Sturgeon-breeding-revolution:-Micro–caesarean-techniques-bring-Beluga-back-to-the-Caspian

Sari – Iran's Shahid Rajaei Aquatic Genetic Resources Conservation and Restoration Center is pioneering a sturgeon breeding revolution, employing advanced methods such as "micro-caesarean" surgery and microchip tagging to safeguard and rebuild the Caspian Sea's dwindling sturgeon populations. Seyed Ali-Asghar Bagheri, the center's director, said the facility currently manages seven key species five native Caspian sturgeon varieties, two riverine species (sterlet and Siberian sturgeon), a

Sep 6 202611:49

Iran’s agricultural sector records 5.5 percent growth despite drought

https://en.maj.ir/News/Iran’s-agricultural-sector-records-5·5-percent-growth-despite-drought

Tehran - Iran’s agricultural sector grew by 5.5% and increased production by 9 million tons over the past year, despite drought and other challenges, a senior agriculture official said. Mohammad Gol-Mohammadi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and head of the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, said the sector also achieved around $1 billion in savings through improved financial discipline. He added that Iran maintained a stable supply of essential commodities and

Aug 31 202608:54

Iranian scientists breed salt-tolerant alfalfa in decade-long food security drive

https://en.maj.ir/editor-choice/Iranian-scientists-breed-salt–tolerant-alfalfa-in-decade–long-food-security-drive-

Isfahan – After ten years of targeted breeding research, Iranian scientists have developed a promising salt-tolerant alfalfa variety, a breakthrough poised to enhance forage production and strengthen national food security amid growing soil salinity challenges. The new variety was derived from the native "Qarah Gozlu" ecotype, selected for its intrinsic resilience. Researchers at the Isfahan Agricultural Research Center carried out a rigorous multi-stage process, including single-plant s

Aug 30 202607:47

Iran, FAO join forces to boost national vaccine ecosystem

https://en.maj.ir/-News/Iran,-FAO-join-forces-to-boost-national-vaccine-ecosystem

Tehran – Iran and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have held a strategic meeting in Tehran to strengthen the country's vaccine development and biosecurity capabilities. The hybrid session brought together international experts from FAO headquarters, regional offices, and Iranian national institutions to exchange technical knowledge, assess local capacities, and identify collaborative opportunities under the "National Vaccine Ecosystem of Iran" project. Discussions centered o

Aug 30 202607:45

Iran imports 15 Chinese rice varieties in push for high-yield breakthrough

https://en.maj.ir/late/Iran-imports-15-Chinese-rice-varieties-in-push-for-high–yield-breakthrough

Tehran – Iran has imported 15 rice varieties from China, including four hybrid strains, as part of an ambitious agricultural drive to develop high-performance cultivars and slash the country's dependence on rice imports, a top official at the Ministry of Agriculture has announced. Gholamreza Golmohammadi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and head of the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), revealed that the initiative forms part of a three-pronged strategy a

Aug 25 202612:20

Razi Institute, Russia’s ARRIAH Center forge veterinary, biosafety cooperation

https://en.maj.ir/-News/Razi-Institute,-Russia’s-ARRIAH-Center-forge-veterinary,-biosafety-cooperation

GENEVA – Iran's Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute and Russia's Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (ARRIAH) have held high-level talks on the sidelines of the 9th Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) working group session in Geneva, exploring avenues for joint collaboration in veterinary research, vaccine development, and biosafety. The meeting followed an ARRIAH-hosted seminar introducing its research and educational capacities. Discussions focused on strengthen

Aug 24 202612:23

Bio-based breakthrough slashes olive fly damage by 20 percent in Iran

https://en.maj.ir/--Archive/Bio–based-breakthrough-slashes-olive-fly-damage-by-20-percent-in-Iran

Gilan – Researchers from the Gilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center and the University of Gilan in northern Iran have developed a novel biological strategy to combat the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae), a major pest threatening olive production worldwide. The team designed eco-friendly traps using protein-based attractants derived from olive kernel byproducts and fungal metabolites. In field evaluations, these traps outperformed commercial protein traps

Aug 23 202611:35

Razi Institute showcases Iran’s biotech capabilities in Geneva

https://en.maj.ir/--Archive-/Razi-Institute-showcases-Iran’s-biotech-capabilities-in-Geneva

Geneva – The Iranian prestigious Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute took part in the ninth session of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), held at the Palais des Nations from August 17 to 21, 2026. The Institute used the platform to present Iran's scientific and technical expertise in vaccine development, biotechnology, and the peaceful applications of life sciences to an international audience. Established following the Ninth BWC Re

Aug 23 202611:33