Tehran – Following successful pilot programs, Iran is scaling up the use of integrated pest management (IPM) in rice cultivation, which has demonstrated a reduction in chemical pesticide use, said the head of the Plant Protection Research Institute.

Shahram Naeimi, speaking to the Ministry of Agriculture news portal on World Plant Health Day, highlighted the strategic importance of these IPM research and development projects and said, “Research into IPM for other crops like chickpeas, garlic, and pomegranates is also in progress.”

A key success story is the implementation of an IPM-based rice production guideline across 5,000 hectares in three northern provinces, he said.

“This initiative, involving over 3,000 farmers and the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (TAT), not only increased yields but also significantly decreased the reliance on chemical pesticides.”

Naeimi underscored that this approach prioritizes the well-being of crops, farmers, consumers, and the environment, including biodiversity conservation.

The institute's primary objective with the IPM rice guideline is the effective management of key pests affecting rice production, he said.

 It was initially tested in 2022 and then expanded across Mazandaran province in 2023 through collaboration with leading farmers and agricultural authorities.