Background of the Research Center
The first formation of the core of Zanjan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center (ZANRRC) returns back to 1980 when the Seed and Plant improvement Research Department was formed. Just 2 years later the facilities of starting a new department for research on soil and water was provided. After the establishment of Plant Pests and Diseases Research Department in 1988 the existence of Agricultural Research Center as an extension of the previous Agricultural Ministry was formally introduced.
The start point of Zanjan Natural Resources Research Center was in 1992 when as one of the stations of East Azarbaijan Natural Resources and Domestic Animal Affairs Research Center has started its research activities. After one year it continued its activities as Zanjan Natural Resources and Domestic Animal Affairs Research Center. Following the merger law of Agricultural Ministry and Jihad-e-Sazandagi Ministry, the formation of a unified research center was inevitable. Therefore, the activities of the two mentioned research centers was continued under the title of “Zanjan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center” since 2004.
This research center comprises 9 research departments, namely, Watershed Management, Plant Pests and Diseases, Seed and Plant Improvement, Seedling and Seed Certification, Water and Soil, Animal Sciences, Forests and Rangelands research departments, and finally Agricultural Economy, and Rural research groups. And 44 researchers are involved in the implementation of 116 research projects. We hope that by utilizing the existing potential facilities and the support of the authorities, agricultural and natural resources development and prosperity of this province will be more effective than ever.
According to the latest decision of the High Council of Agricultural Research Policy, the research activities on plants in Zanjan include cereals, legumes, alfalfa and sainfoin, sunflower and canola, onions and cabbage, olives, hazelnut and figs. Within the activities of Watershed Management, Animal Sciences, Socio-Economical research department the research priorities include poplar and fast-growing trees, rangelands, soil conservation, management of watersheds, river engineering, floods aquifers, hydrology and water reservoirs, animal nutrition, grazing and rangelands, sheep and goat and their diseases, and socio-economical aspects of rural regions. A number of 44 researcher are involving in in research projects in experimental stations include Khodabandeh Dry Farming, Tarum Olive, Khairabad, Qaracharian Research Complex, Mahneshan and Baruaghaji.
Research Departments
Watershed Management Research Department
Plant Medical Research Department
Seed and Plant Improvement Research Department
Soil and Water Research Department
Animal Sciences Research Department
Forests and Rangelands Research Department
Agricultural Economical Planning and Rural Development Groups
Seed and Plant Certification and Provision
Research Station
Khodabandeh Dry Farming Research Site
Tarum Olive Research Orchard
Khairabad Research Station
Qaracharian Research Complex
Mahneshan Multipurpose Research Station
Baruaghaji Station
Goals and Tasks
Identifying and determination of research needs and priorities in the area of breeding, farming improvement, crop nutrition, soil fertility, water and fertilizer requirements of crops and orchards in dry farming and aquiculture,
Investigation of pests and diseases of plants in order to achieve the best methods of prevention and control against them,
Investigation of breeding, agronomy, nutrition and water requirements of olives,
Investigation and research on increasing cellulose raw material production and access to new resources, medicinal plants, optimal management of natural resources, identification and conservation of province’s biodiversity
Investigation and research in the areas of providing comprehensive and optimal models of containment and reduction of erosion and increasing productivity and utilization of precipitation, flood and river erosion control and comprehensive management of lowland and river basin areas,
Investigate and increase the productivity of livestock and poultry production and identify and generate new livestock feed, breeding and conservation of livestock and poultry genetic resources, promoting quality of livestock production, reducing waste and providing optimal patterns of livestock and poultry utilization
Cooperation with the subsidiary administrations of Agricultural Research and Training Organizations and Jihad-e-Agricultural Organization in the field of land evaluation and soil identification as well as optimal use and utilization of soil and water resources in the province,
Preparation and implementation of seed and seedling propagation programs, maintaining and quality controlling of seed purity,
Investigation and research on socio-economic issues in rural areas,
Cooperation in the implementation of national research projects.
Research Achievements
1. Production of tens of thousands of olive cuttings from different domestic and foreign varieties and distribution throughout the country
2. Determining the most appropriate harvest time for different olive cultivars for oil extraction in Tarom region
3. Identify the best varieties for pollen production for olive commercial varieties. Diagnosis the cause of cuttings and olive seedlings drying,
4. Conducting soil studies of the province lands, publishing maps and its results for use in macro policy makings
5. Providing nutritional recommendations as well as water requirements for important crops and fruit trees in the province
6. Identifying pests, pathogens and weeds of the province's main crops that have produced valuable results in cases such as wheat diseases, rodents and olive pests
7. Recommendation of using VOLK oil to control olive pomace pest to reduce pesticide use and protecting the environment
8. Study on the possibility of pistachio cultivation in Zanjan province
9. Nutritional status of olive gardens in the province
10. Identification of fungal and bacterial pathogens of juniper trees and their effect on the drying of this trees in province
11. Identification of the province’s plant in the herbarium
12. Rangeland’s vegetation classification of the province (recognition of ecological zones)
13. Classification of marls in the province based on variables such as physical, chemical and mechanical using multivariate analysis
14. Study on the effect of climate on population changes of wheat Eurygaster integricepts
15. Investigation of the Integrated Management of dodders (Cuscuta spp.) parasitic plant in alfalfa farms
16. Determination of appropriate age of sheep farming, farming period and optimal slaughter weight in Afshari male lambs.
17. The effect of balancing the internal temperature of the hive on the production and physiological performance of bee colonies
18. Evaluation of blended cultivation of gram, forage chickpea, and barley in dry farming fields of Zanjan province
19. Studying the problems related to the improvement of dry farming wheat farming and providing an appropriate and compatible solution with the capability of farmers in the province
20. Studying the stability of yield of advanced bread wheat cultivars and lines under irrigated and dry farming conditions
21. Control and supervision of seed farms of wheat and barley in irrigated and dry farming lands within an area of more than 5,000 hectares of land belonging to 11 seed producer companies;
22. Studying the issues related to dry farming of safflower in alternation with dry farming of wheat
Introducing Zanjan Jihad –e-Agricultural Education Center
This center was established in year 1986 and started its training activities in two fields: in-service training and informal degrees training. In the year 1996, scientific-applied training was added. Following the integration of the Jihad-e-Sazandagi and Agricultural Training Center, Training programs include farmer training and vocational skill- training were added to the educational program. Currently the core training activities are: staff training, farmer training, scientific-applied training, and vocational training.
This Research Center is located 7km. to the west of Capital city of Zanjan. The total are is 130 hectares include 7800 square meters infrastructure, 84 hectares farming land, 8 hectares fruit trees garden, 650 square meters poultry facilities, 648 square meters for different workshops facilities, 190 square meters laboratory, 500 square meters green houses, and 170 square meters fish farming pool. All of these facilities dedicated to education activities, while farms and workshop facilities can be also rented by private sectors in order to ensure some income.
Educational facilities include 15 classrooms, library with 11000 volumes of books, and a computer site.
Full time instructors include 12 experts whose their specializations are related to agricultural fields.
Educational Departments
These departments include 1)natural resources, 2)animal sciences, 3)agriculture and horticulture, and 4)social services and management, which cover the education of farmers, personnel, and scientific-applied.
Personnel Education
Depending on the needs assessment carried out each year, specialized and general courses are conducted for experts and managers.
Scientific-Applied Education
Increasing the proficiency of the farmers by conducting required courses on related topics a part of the target groups of farmers are covered.
Empowerment of service provider companies within the framework of courses such as farm management and entrepreneurship, which are in charge of organizational management and specifically extension activities which are performed by such companies within the service provider centers is contained in the education programs of this Center.
Carrier Scientific Education
Most of the education in this field has been transferred to the private sector and this Center only supervises the implementation of this courses.