Kerman – The only facility in Iran producing UCB1 pistachio rootstock using tissue culture technology is operating in Kerman Province, playing a vital role in supplying certified standard seedlings to domestic growers while also tapping into regional export markets, according to the acting head of the province's Agriculture Department.

 

Iman Karim Ghasemi announced that the specialized unit, which has an annual production capacity of 200,000 UCB rootstock seedlings, exports its products not only to various provinces across Iran but also to neighboring countries, including Georgia, northern Iraq, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, and Turkmenistan.

 

He noted that producing these rootstocks through tissue culture guarantees seedling health, significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission, and ultimately yields standardized, certified seedlings—a major factor in boosting productivity and sustainability in pistachio orchards.

 

Emphasizing Kerman Province's status as the country's premier pistachio-producing region, Karim Ghasemi identified the development of advanced technologies such as tissue culture and the propagation of vegetative rootstocks as top priorities for the province's horticultural sector.

 

He added that expanding this specialized facility not only meets domestic demand but also creates valuable opportunities to export high-quality pistachio seedlings to neighboring countries, helping to develop regional markets and strengthen the standing of Iran's seedling industry.