Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology - Asian Productivity ...

Status of Agricultural Biotechnology in the Islamic Republic of Iran
• Absence of adequate methods and mechanisms to move in vitro products to production
and lack of a link between research products and production practices.
• Unwillingness or inability of the industrial sector to mass produce the products of biotechnological
research.
• Deficiency in the management system in some sectors and the presence of often conflicting
decision-making units; lack of efficient supervision and control.
• Shortage of adequate skilled and specialist manpower.
• Inadequate scientific relationships among the research, training, and scientific centers in
the country and internationally.
PLANS FOR AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Medium-Term Plan for Agricultural Biotechnology (2005–09)
Cultivation of transgenic plants amounting to at least 0.2% of the area of these plants under
cultivation in the world by the end of the plan period.
Production of forage and supplements of livestock amounting to 0.5% of the need of the
country.
Production of biofertilizers and biopesticides amounting to 3% of the need of the country
and replacing chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Production of three kinds of new vaccines against livestock diseases.
Production of biological products usable in the food industry amounting to 10% of the need
of the country.
Long-Term Plan for Agricultural Biotechnology in Iran (2010–14)
Cultivation of transgenic plants amounting to 0.5% of the area under cultivation of these
plants in the world by the end of the plan period.
Production of forage and supplements of livestock amounting to 10% of the need of the
country.
Production of biofertilizers and biopesticides amounting to 10% of the need of the country
and replacing chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Production of at least five kinds of new vaccines against livestock diseases and an export
target of 30% of total products.
Production of biological products usable in the food industry amounting to 15% of the need
of the country.
STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Recognizing the existing capabilities and the increasing gap between the technology in the
world and that in Iran, and in order to achieve the goals set, guidelines are:
• Preparation of a comprehensive plan for biotechnology training.
• Legislation of intellectual property laws relevant to biotechnology.
• Establishment of national nonprofit centers to verify the quality of biotechnological processes
and products.
• Establishment of a national biotechnology information network.
• Preparation of national standards for biotechnological products.
• Legislation of biotechnological moral principles.
• Promotion of public awareness and public acceptance of biotechnology.
• Support for the establishment of private marketing agencies.
• Support for the establishment of organizations investing in biotechnology.
• Allocation of funds and provision of facilities according to priorities.
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