national reference labs

GMO Detection Reference Lab

With the developing global production of transgenic crops and their international trade market, the national and international regulations on the trade and labeling of these products have been compiled to ensure the safe use and monitoring of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in many countries. Today, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is designed to protect biological diversity and human health from GMOs by providing a clear legal framework for their transboundary movement. According to these regulations, the exporting country is required to announce the type of event and the specifications of the exported GM product. The importing country can also determine the permitted events based on its national rules and verify the exporter's claim on the other hand. Then, the detection and identification of GMO products is very important, for achieving this goal. With respect to the huge amount of imported GMO products into I.R.IRAN, the "GMO Detection Reference Lab" of the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII) as the reference laboratory of the Ministry of Jihad of Agriculture, has the sovereign duty of detecting and identifying GMO products into Iran. This laboratory, with its three subsidiary laboratories in Rasht (North of Iran), Ahvaz, and Dezful (South of Iran), responds to respected clients in the field of detecting GMO products as soon as possible.

    

For more information, please contact Dr. Hassan Rahnama at [hrahnama@abrii.ac.ir].

National Reference for Production of Healthy Potato Seeds

  • Potato Seed Self-Sufficiency in Iran: A Significant Step Towards Food Security

Potatoes, which originated in the Andes of South America, have become a staple food around the world over the past four centuries. In Asian countries, including Iran, potatoes have become an important food source, ranking fourth in production in the last century. Iran's potato production has increased by 8.1% in the last half century, marking a period of remarkable growth.

An analysis of trends in area, production, and future projections for potatoes in Iran indicates that the era of expanding production by increasing area is over. Instead, the focus has shifted to increasing yield per unit area to achieve higher production. Potatoes are water-intensive compared to other agricultural and horticultural crops. It is estimated that the production of 4.47 million tons of potatoes in Iran requires 1.516 billion cubic meters of water. This accounts for 7.2% of the total water demand for agriculture and horticulture, ranking potatoes as the ninth most water consuming crop.

  • Self-Sufficiency in Seed Potato Production: A Valuable Achievement

About 15 years ago, Iran relied on importing seed potato mini-tubers from abroad, resulting in an annual outflow of about $3 million in foreign exchange. To address this problem, the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute (ABRII) embarked on a project to develop the production of seed potato mini-tubers using tissue culture technology. The institute established a complete seed potato health production chain in collaboration with relevant authorities, research institutes and the private sector. This technology was then transferred to 20 private knowledge-based enterprises.

This remarkable achievement has made Iran self-sufficient in seed potato production. Currently, ABRII sanitizes the primary seed of 19 potato varieties, producing 6,000 plantlets annually and distributing them to 20 requesting companies. This process generates approximately 30 million mini-tubers and ultimately several classes of seed that are made available to progressive farmers. Self-sufficiency in seed potatoes has resulted in an estimated $50 million in foreign exchange savings over the past 15 years.

In addition, the widespread use of healthy potato seed has not only prevented the introduction of quarantine pests and diseases, but has also increased potato production despite a reduction in acreage. While the area has decreased from 160,000 hectares to 140,000 hectares, production and yield have increased from 21 tons to 40 tons and from 3 kilograms per cubic meter of water to over 5 kilograms. This highlights the efforts made to improve productivity and optimize water use in agriculture.

  • Implications of Self-Sufficiency

Food Security: Self-sufficiency in seed potato production is a critical step in ensuring food security in Iran. It reduces dependence on imports and plays an important role in maintaining a stable and sustainable food supply chain, especially in the face of sanctions and global market fluctuations.

Foreign exchange savings: Self-sufficiency in seed potato production has resulted in significant foreign exchange savings of millions of dollars annually, which can be reinvested in other sectors of the economy.

Increased production and productivity: The use of healthy and improved seeds has contributed to increased production and yield per unit area, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

Reduced water use: Improving the efficiency of potato production has led to optimized water use, thus conserving this precious resource for future generations.

In conclusion, Iran's self-sufficiency in seed potatoes is a remarkable example of the synergy between knowledge, research, investment, and cooperation between government agencies and the private sector. This achievement serves as a model for other agricultural sectors and contributes to the sustainable development of the country. It is a testament to Iran's commitment to food security, resource conservation, and economic growth.

    

For more information, please contact [rshmokhtari@abrii.ac.ir].

Reference Lab for Assessment and Risk Management of Agricultural Nano/Micro Products

The advancement of nanotechnology on a global scale, the rapid growth of active nano companies in the agricultural sector, and the importance of focusing on products utilizing new technologies such as nanotechnology in agriculture have all contributed to the heightened demand for specialized evaluation of these products within the agricultural industry. This increased need for specialized evaluation in agriculture is essential to support the introduction of nano products tailored for agriculture and to provide assurance to users regarding the quality and safety of such products. Therefore, the establishment of a dependable specialized laboratory center is crucial for the evaluation and risk management of nano products across different agricultural domains. The ABRII institute's reference laboratory of nano products plays a crucial role in evaluating agricultural-based nano products, serving as a specialized reference point in the realm of new technologies. Its primary objective is to support the development of technological products within the agricultural sector by assessing the safety and performance yield of agricultural-based nano products. The collaboration between this research institute and key organizations such as the Nano/Micro Innovation Council (INIC), the Nanotechnology Strategic Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad, and the Agricultural, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) has the potential to establish a robust framework for advancing agricultural products and technologies. This agriculture-focused nanotechnology initiative is poised to bring significant benefits to the agricultural sector and various stakeholders.

    

For more information, please contact Dr. Leila Mamani at [leila.mamani@abrii.ac.ir].

The Partner Laboratory with the National Veterinary Organization

The Partner Laboratory with the National Veterinary Organization, marking a significant step towards enhancing the health and quality of animal products. This laboratory will specialize in the evaluation and quality control of biological feed additives for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture, positioning itself as a leading and specialized center in this field.

One of the primary areas of focus for this laboratory is the quality control of enzymes used in the dietary formulations of livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. Enzymes play a crucial role in improving the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and ensuring their quality can have a direct impact on the health and productivity of animals.

The importance and necessity of quality control for biological additives lie in the fact that using high-quality and standard products can guarantee the production of healthy and high-quality animal products. This not only aids in improving the health of animals and increasing the efficiency of livestock production but also holds significant health and economic benefits for end consumers and producers.

The aim of establishing this laboratory is to elevate the scientific and technical standards of the country in the field of quality control of biological additives, and to support producers and consumers in this sector. We hope that through the activities of this laboratory, we can take effective steps towards sustainable development and enhancing community health.

       

For more information, please contact Dr. Maryam Hashemi at [hashemim@abrii.ac.ir].