Following the recent visit of the Bolivian Ambassador to the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization and the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, a webinar was held in the presence of Dr. Vali Nasab, Director General of the Office of Scientific Communication and International Cooperation of the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Dr. Heidari, Deputy Director of Planning and Support of the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, and Dr. Safarnejad, Deputy Director of the Office of Technology Affairs, in the presence of her excellency Mrs. Romina Perez Ramos, ambassador of Bolivia and Executive Director of the National Institute for Agricultural and Forestry Innovation (NIAF) and three other directors of the NIAF on Monday, May 17, 2021.

In this meeting, first of all, Dr. Vali Nasab presented a report on the state of agriculture in the country and research potentials in the research organization with 21 research institutes. Dr. Heidari, while introducing the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, mentioned the capabilities and achievements of the institute and the readiness of this institute to provide experiences and technical knowledge in the fields of biological control, pest management, pesticide residue measurement and determination of their maximum residue limits (MRLs), production of kits for rapid diagnosis of plant diseases, etc. Dr. Safarnejad also presented a report on the programs and actions of the relevant office in the field of commercialization of research achievements and the establishment and development of incubation and innovation centers.

The Bolivian side also presented a report on the state of agriculture in their country and its ongoing plans to innovate in the field of agriculture. The Ambassador and Managers participating in the meeting from Bolivia, while appreciating the progress and capabilities of Iran in the field of agricultural research, expressed their desire to exchange experts and students at the master's and doctoral levels and use the capabilities and technical knowledge of Iran, as well as conclusion of a contract for the development of cooperation.

In the end, it was decided that on behalf of Iran, the Director General of the Scientific Communication Office of the Agricultural Research Organization and the Ambassador of Bolivia to draw up a memorandum of cooperation and provide the ground for the implementation of the agreements reached.