Climate
Iran has a complex climate, ranging from subtropical to sub-polar. In winter, a high-pressure belt, centered in Siberia, slashes west and south to the interior of the Iranian Plateau, while low pressure systems develop over the warm waters of the Caspian, the Persian Gulf, and the Mediterranean. In summer, one of the lowest pressure centres in the world prevails in the south.

Geography
Iran is situated in south-western Asia and borders the three CIS states, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Turkmenistan, as well as the Caspian to the north, Turkey and Iraq to the west, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south and Pakistan and Afghanistan to the east.

Horticulture
Iran enjoys twelve types of climate enabling the country to produce a wide range of temperate sub-tropical and tropical crops. Equally important there is a temperature difference - somewhere between 25 and 30 centigrades - at any one time between some areas, enabling the production of a variety of crops throughout the year. Generally speaking, agricultural products, particularly fruit and vegetables, are of high quality. Iranian farmers are very conscious of the negative effect of overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers and are very interested in developing organic production of crops.

Distribution of Horticulture
The Caspian region produces citrus, olive, and tea, while dates and bananas are grown along the Persian Gulf and in other southern provinces. On the central plateau, temperate fruit such as apples, pears, peaches, grapes and cherries grow well, and almost every region has its distinctive kind of melon. The main regions for greenhouse grown crops (vegetables and ornamentals) and open field vegetables are the Caspian and the southern regions. South-east of Iran is ideal for pistachio production.

Research Thrusts
The main research thrusts are the Agricultural Research and Education Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.

Nature of Institutes
Numerous institutions are involved in agricultural research. More than nine universities all over the country, and there number is still growing, are involved in agricultural research and education, including agricultural engineering and doctorate degrees.

Organisations / Institutes: Will be added soon

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