Tehran – The Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension Organization (AREEO) has unveiled two new high-yielding chickpea varieties designed for rainfed farming in cold and semi-arid regions.

Developed by researchers at the Dryland Agricultural Research Institute, “Alvand” and “Ekbatan” - these winter-sown varieties - boast enhanced resilience to cold, drought, and diseases, alongside high protein content, large seed size, and optimal plant height for mechanical harvesting.

Mozaffar Roostaee, head of the institute, highlighted that both varieties were bred in collaboration with ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas).

"These chickpeas are tailored for harsh climates, combining productivity with stress tolerance," he said.

The new varieties are expected to boost production in provinces such as East and West Azarbaijan, Ardabil, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Lorestan, and North Khorasan, among others with similar conditions.

"With their high adaptability, Alvand and Ekbatan can significantly increase national chickpea output," Roostaee added, underscoring their potential to enhance food security in drought-prone areas.