Dr. Leila Ma’mani, Assistant Professor and the Head of Nanotechnology Department was invited as a plenary speaker and representative of Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Iran to participate in 2019 International Nanotechnology Conference in the Philippines on 28^th May 2019.

She declared that the sustainable agriculture is the strategy to implement farming techniques that produce adequate amount of grains, plants or any life form of agricultural products and in the same time to protect environment, human health, and ecosystems. Owing to the limited natural resources (production land, soil, water, etc.) and the growth of global population, it is imperative that the agricultural development be economically further, viable, environmentally benign and efficiently. No doubt that the sustainable growth of agriculture depends on the novel and innovative techniques such as bio and nanotechnology. It is well known that one nanometer (nm) is one billionth of a meter. It can be projected that due to the unique features and merits (e.g., straightforward surface modification, high surface area and pore volume), biocompatible nanomaterial can take brilliant roles in agricultural applications. With this course of action nanotech is knocking the doors of perception. Therefore, herein the existing potent and opportunities for developing of applied nanotech toward sustainable agriculture in Iran was described based on the research and development priority. In this regard, the comprehensive program of nanotech in agriculture and also nanotech-based strategies, addressing the problems of agriculture in Iran, was expressed and followed by highlighting the promising research activities. Then, the involved research groups in this field (agro-nanotech) and the ongoing projects was briefly presented, among which, some of the successful cases was discussed more. Some of these research areas include:

 - Nano(bio)pesticides

- Nano-nutrients/Slow-release nano-fertilizers

- Nano(bio)sensors

- Preparation of different nanomaterials from agro-biomasses

- Smart nanocarriers for slow/controlled/targeted delivery

The last one discussed the importance of porous nanomaterials for targeted delivery, including designing, constructing, and evaluating the performance of these nanocarriers in slow/controlled/targeted delivery.

Finally, the challenges this technology faces (e.g., the standardization and commercialization of nanotech based products in agriculture) as well as the suggestions and strategies for overcoming these challenges was discussed.

It is worth mentioning that The International Nanotechnology Conference in the Philippines was held on May 28-29, 2019 at Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City, Philippines. INCP 2019 provided excellent opportunities to the researchers, scientists, students, professionals, and industrialists to be exposed on the current innovations on the different fields of nanotechnology, exchange ideas and discover opportunities.  The various and diverse local R&D efforts on Nanotechnology was also showcased in this event. The conference was in conjunction with the ASIA NANO FORUM (ANF) SUMMIT 2019, held on May 27, 2019 in the same venue. The ANF Summit 2019 was attended by 15-member economies in Asia and the Pacific.

Photographed by: Hassan Samiee