Dr. Peter Carberry, Deputy Director General for Research of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and several other delegates including Prof. SP Wani, Director Research Program, Asia, Dr. SK Gupta, senior scientist, pearl millet breeder, Dr. Pooran Gaur, principal scientist, theme leader crop improvement and chick pea breeder, Mrs. Joanna Kane-Potaka external cooperation and strategic marketing and companions praised ABRII’s capabilities and achievements, calling for close scientific collaboration with ABRII. This board had visited the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) and several affiliated research institutes as well.

     The mission of the ICRISAT delegates visiting ABRII was to familiarize with the activities of the Institute, the various regional administrations and laboratories of the Research Institute, along with introducing research capabilities, research achievements and ongoing research projects. Particular areas of interest for collaboration with the heads of the departments and faculty members of the Institute were discussed.

     The Nanotechnology Department was one of the sections visited by the ICRISAT delegations, in which Dr. Ma’mani, the head of the department, provided explanations on the research activities and achievements of the researchers on the production of nano-pesticides, nano-fertilizers, seed coating formulations, and on the problems of the agricultural sector which can be solved through nanotechnology. The sector's achievements in the field of seed coating and slow release fertilizers, which may reduce the use of fertilizers and hazardous chemicals while increasing their efficiency were taken into consideration by the ICRISAT researchers. The microscopic section and its various equipment were visited and explanations were given on their applications in nano-biosciences and agricultural research.

     The nanotechnology department’s success in developing nanosilica from rice waste, used as a carrier in pesticides and slow-release fertilizers, were also very interesting for the delegates, especially the Indian scientists. Finally, both parties expressed their intention of expanding the future collaboration.

     The delegations went on to acquaint themselves with the activities and achievements of the Cell and Culture Department, especially in the field of doubled haploid production. Dr. Shariat Panahi, the head of the department, introduced the research activities on rapeseed, wheat, cucumber, pepper and new projects of sorghum, millet and rice.

     Dr. Peter Carberry, who is a leading crop physiologist, continued to provide explanations on the methodology employed by the ICRISAT researchers based on the anther culture. Afterwards, Dr. Shariat Panahi, refered to the problems of this method and provided samples and documentation of the successful research activities of ABRII.

    Dr. Babak Nakhoda, head of the Department of Molecular Physiology, who has been appointed by Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization of the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture as the National Focal Point for coordinating the Iran-ICRISAT Cooperation Program, declared that on this trip, joint research projects and the technical capability development of Iranian researchers would be negotiated in preparation for the 2018-2020 work plan. Transferring the plant germplasm, exchanging researchers, as well as establishing joint projects on high yielding and biotic and abiotic stress tolerant sorghum, millet and chick pea, dryland research and watershed management in drought prone areas, as well as the establishment of the ICRISAT office in Iran, would be the main points of the negotiation.

Photographed by: Sina Motamed