Dr. Hamed Fazlollahtabar, the leading professor of the project “A Multichannel Chain of Pistachio Supply Using a Sustainable Development Approach”, announced three achievements accomplished by Damghan University (DU) students in the implementation of Shahid Ahmadi Roshan’s Project; i.e., (1) development of a prototype temperature and humidity sensor to adjust the time and amount of irrigation of pistachio trees, (2) reduction of aflatoxin by 60% using a plasma radiation technology at the laboratory level to improve the crops’ international consumption standards for exporting purposes , and (3) development of an application for selling pistachio products.
As Dr. Fazlollahtabar said, three missions were set for the development of the multichannel supply chain, which included reducing water wastage and saving water resources, reducing the amount of toxins used for pistachio trees, and eliminating intermediaries to increase the income of pistachio farmers. To encourage collective learning, team work and professionalism, a number of DU students, who were members of Iran’s National Elites Foundation and studied in the fields of geology, biology, chemistry, physics, industrial engineering and computer science, were involved in the implementation of the project. Dr. Fazlollahtabar added that, after implementing the project in the period of December 1, 2021 to September 22, 2022 in three target areas, the follow-up of this research and development project is still ongoing in Damghan University’s Pistachio Innovation Center and Industry Relations Office in order to attract investors for the purpose of commercialization.
