A delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) visited date orchards in Kermanshah province to strengthen the fight against pests and diseases through technical cooperation, field activities, and engagement with local and provincial stakeholders.
From October 11 to 14, the delegation, led by the FAO representative in Iran, Farrokh Toirov, inspected work sites in Jarofteh, Anbarabad, Bam, and Narmashir to assess progress in integrated pest management (IPM) in date orchards.
During the mission, the implementation of project support measures was analyzed, the use of equipment provided to pilot sites was studied, and consultations were held with farmers, researchers, plant protection specialists, agricultural authorities, and private sector representatives involved in the date value chain.
The project aims to address major threats to date production, including the red palm weevil, palm borers, Dubas beetle, and date palm fruit bunch wilt disease. During site visits, the team observed pest control measures in both modern, large-scale orchards with drip irrigation and traditional orchards using flood irrigation.
The delegation also inspected pest-affected orchards and visited date sorting, packaging, and processing facilities serving both domestic and export markets. The mission provided an opportunity to discuss current pest control methods and consider potential approaches to improving the efficiency and sustainability of these interventions.
Meetings with stakeholders emphasized that the red palm weevil is one of the most serious challenges facing date production in this province. Consultations held at the Southern Agricultural Organization of Kermanshah and at the Governor's Office of Bam district gathered local governors, agricultural officials, researchers, farmers, and the private sector to discuss pest management issues, production difficulties, and constraints affecting the date value chain, including control measures and access to export markets.
The FAO representative welcomed the active participation and overall commitment demonstrated by stakeholders in Kermanshah, noting that their collaboration creates a favorable foundation for expanding technical cooperation. Through this project, FAO continues to work with national and provincial partners to enhance technical capacities and promote more effective management of date palm pests and diseases. The project's field-based approach facilitates the assessment of practical measures in local production settings and helps identify opportunities for protecting date orchards, reducing pest losses, and increasing the sustainability of date production in Iran.
