Iran’s agricultural sector is getting a tech boost with 20 projects coming on stream with the backing of Agriculture Ministry and the private sector.
The ministry is supporting the project through its affiliate, Agricultural Research, Education and Expansion Organization.
Hossein Farazmand, secretary of Smart Agriculture Headquarters at AREEO, said these tech-based projects are focused on irrigation, poultry and livestock breeding, farming, orchard farming and smart greenhouses, IRNA reported.
“Development of smart irrigation systems is one of the projects confirmed by the Agriculture Ministry, which has received the operating license,” Farazmand said.
Farmers owning large tracts of lands find it difficult to physically monitor and manage them. For instance, uneven or excessive watering spoils crops and leads to financial losses. Smart irrigation can help address this issue.
“A smart irrigation system using the internet of things technology is helpful and leads to ease of farming. The system uses soil moisture sensors, making sure of adequate irrigation and curbing water waste,” the official explained.
An agricultural data monitoring center has also been launched experimentally.
According to Farazmand, the center harvests information through soil, water and air sensors and after multidimensional analyses, communicates the feedback to farmers, letting them decide upon different farming factors accordingly.
“In case the trial delivers positive results, it will be officially launched in a few months,” he added.
A social media network named Taak has been designed to create a framework for facilitating interactions between agriculture officials and farmers.
Farazmand said the network will include a question-answer format and help set up a transparent management system in the sector.
The official noted that when the environmental and technological feasibilities of the pilot projects are established, the scheme’s details will be sent to the ministry’s deputies for attracting the initial budget and implementing the processes involved.
Farazmand said the use of internet of things is the most prominent element of converting conventional agriculture to a smart production system.
For instance, he added, it helps farmers control irrigation, air moisture and temperature required by different plants.
“Toward this aim, AREEO is determined to increase its experience in the field,” he said.
Use of Nanotechnology
In another effort to modernize the agricultural sector, Iranian academics have urged authorities and farmers to employ nanotechnology in the sector.
Alireza Allafchian, deputy director of Isfahan University of Technology’s Nanotech Research Center, said since Iran is a semi-arid country, managing surface water and making efficient agricultural use of it can greatly help the sector.
“Nanotech water treatment systems can store and purify surface water and lower the evaporation rate, creating a reliable source for irrigation,” he added.
Allafchian noted that in such systems, nanomembranes are used to soften the water and remove physical, biological and chemical contaminants.
“Nanoparticles can be used in many ways to provide clean water. Several local knowledge-based businesses are currently engaged in such enterprises,” he said.
The official explained that nanomaterial is defined as "material with any external dimension in nanoscale or having an internal structure or surface structure in the nanoscale where length ranges approximately from 1 nm to 100 nm”.
Nanotechnology, according to Allafchian, can increase crop productivity and minimize pesticide applications by using nanoparticle-mediated gene or DNA transfer in plants.
“Genetic modification of crops, reducing agricultural waste and increasing products with the use of nano-biocompatible materials are some of the numerous benefits of nanotechnology in the field,” he added.
The application of nanotech in farming industries also includes nano-formulations of chemicals for developing pesticides and fertilizers, using nanosensors in crop protection, identifying diseases and residues of chemicals, applying nano-devices for genetic engineering of plants and undertaking postharvest management.
“Nanotechnology has the ability to revolutionize agriculture and the food industry, if adequate support is provided to experts and the talented young generation working in the field,” Allafchian said.
According to the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology, 270 Iranian firms are currently using nanotechnology, which can be a game-changer for all industrial fields run by conventional policies.
The official believes that creating a proper environment for research, providing opportunities to advance nanotechnology and exchanging know-how with other leading nations are necessary for sustainable development.
Earlier Efforts
The application of different technologies in agriculture has gained momentum in Iran over the past few years. To upgrade the key industry, the academia and those active in the technology ecosystem have launched initiatives.
In late January 2020, the Islamic Azad University and Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs jointly launched an accelerator to support startups using agricultural technologies and expand Iran’s knowledge-based ecosystem.
The two sides signed a deal to implement joint research projects on food safety and establish a research and innovation fund.
The deal is expected to help introduce new technologies into agricultural industries and commercialize innovative ideas developed by tech teams.
According to IAU officials, the university owns 17 hectares of greenhouses in 235 branches spread across the country, which area is planned to expand to 50 hectares for use as laboratories by startups.
In 2019, a private knowledge-based company announced the indigenization of drones for assisting farmers.
“Sabokbal Helia Aseman Company designs and manufactures agricultural drones used in farms,” the company’s managing director, Mohsen Siadatnejad, said.
“Buying drones from other countries is costly while domestic knowledge-based firms are manufacturing small aircraft at lower costs,” he added.
Speaking about the high potential of exporting drones, Siadatnejad said, “We are in talks with neighboring states but have not yet reached the export stage.”
Agricultural drones let farmers see their fields from the sky. The bird's eye-view can reveal many issues such as irrigation problems, soil variation and pest and fungal infestations.
Multispectral images show a near-infrared and visual spectrum view. They show differences between healthy and unhealthy plants, a difference not always clearly visible to the naked eye, which can help assess crop growth and production.
Data provided to farmers can also help cut the use of pesticides and water consumption.
