Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI)

What Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI) does

The Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), legally موسسه تحقیقات خاک و آب, is Iran's national government research institute for soil and water science, founded in 1952 and headquartered in Karaj, Alborz. It operates under the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) of the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad and is structured around seven specialized research departments covering soil fertility and plant nutrition, soil biology and biotechnology, irrigation, soil and water monitoring and reclamation, soil chemistry and physics and fertilizer technology, soil identification and land evaluation, and technical/research services. SWRI's mandate spans soil and water resource identification, quantitative and qualitative monitoring, irrigation and water-use efficiency, saline-condition management, soil organic carbon, contamination management, and fertilizer registration and quality control.

SWRI's product portfolio is anchored by national digital platforms: the National Land Suitability System (nlss.ir), the Water Requirement System of Plants (niwr.ir), the Soil Resources Information Database (NSISI), the Comprehensive Database of Fertilizer Materials (kswri.ir), and the Information Management System of Laboratories (swrilab.ir), complemented by specialized software (Land Suitability Software, Fertilizer Requirement Estimation Software, Integrated Soil Fertility Recommendation System) and a mobile/web Olive Orchard Nutritional Management Application. Underlying technology relies on remote sensing, GIS-based spatial information systems, and digital soil mapping at national scale (18 million hectares digitized, 40,000+ soil samples updated biennially, microclimate data from 185 synoptic, 3,400 rain gauge, and 240 Ministry of Energy stations).

SWRI's business model is professional-services research funded primarily by government budget allocations and commissioned research contracts from the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad and its affiliated bodies. No commercial pricing is publicly disclosed; outputs are disseminated through direct G2G channels, a national publishing system, provincial research centers, an accredited laboratory network, a specialized Growth Center (incubator) for soil and water technology startups, and international collaborations including the FAO Global Soil Partnership (INSAS, Global Soil Doctors Programme), the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture, the University of Tuscia (Italy), and HSE / Saint Petersburg State University (Russia). The website (swri.ir) records over 2 million cumulative visits and serves as the central dissemination hub for publications and project information in Persian and English.

Name

Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI)

Legal name

موسسه تحقیقات خاک و آب (Soil and Water Research Institute)

Website

https://swri.ir

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI) is Iran's national government research institute for soil and water science, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad since 1952 to deliver research, national databases, digital platforms, and laboratory services supporting soil, water, and fertilizer management across Iran.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFACAJAM

Irrigation, Water & Energy Efficiency Operations Advisory

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Farm Management & Operational Advisory Services

SECONDARYAFACAFAC

Irrigation Scheduling & Advisory Services (ET/Soil-Moisture Based)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Irrigation & Water Management Services (Design, Scheduling, Maintenance)

SECONDARYAFAAACAF

Irrigation Control & Automation (Controllers, Valves, Sensors, IoT)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Equipment & Technology/Irrigation & Water Management Systems (Pumps, Drip, Sprinkler)

SECONDARYAFACAFAL

Water Quality Testing & Treatment for Irrigation (Filtration, Chemigation Support)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Irrigation & Water Management Services (Design, Scheduling, Maintenance)

Keywords

• Agricultural research services
• Soil science research
• Water resource management
• Land suitability evaluation
• Soil fertility analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Karaj

HQ country

Iran

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government research funding: SWRI is a government-affiliated research institute under the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) of the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad. It operates primarily on government budget allocations and commissioned research contracts from ministries and government bodies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SWRI is Iran's national government research institute for soil and water, conducting commissioned research, operating national databases and digital platforms (National Land Suitability System, Water Requirement System, Soil Resources Information Database, Laboratory Information Management System), producing agricultural mapping products (microclimate, evapotranspiration, salinity), and providing fertilizer registration and quality control services. It supports national agricultural policy and farmer-facing recommendations through seven specialized research departments covering soil chemistry, fertility, biology, irrigation, physics, reclamation, and land evaluation.

Product overview

Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI) operates as a government research institute under the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) of Iran's Ministry of Agriculture. The institute offers a portfolio of research platforms, databases, and software tools focused on soil science, water management, and agricultural productivity. Core offerings include national information systems (National Land Suitability System, Water Requirement System, Soil Resources Database, Laboratory Information Management System) and specialized software (Land Suitability Software, Fertilizer Requirement Estimation Software, Olive Orchard Nutrition App). The institute also produces agricultural mapping products including microclimate maps, evapotranspiration maps, and soil salinity maps. Research services span soil physics, biology, chemistry, fertility, reclamation, and land evaluation across seven specialized research departments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Land Suitability System Internet-based platform providing access to land suitability maps and assessments for crops and orchards across Iran, built using remote sensing technologies and spatial information systems.
• Water Requirement System of Plants National system for determining and mapping crop water requirements and water-use efficiency across Iran's diverse agro-climatic zones.
• Comprehensive Database of Fertilizer Materials National database for fertilizer materials information and registration management, supporting fertilizer quality control nationwide.
• Soil Resources Information Database (NSISI) Spatial database containing Iran's soil resources information and digital soil maps, with over 40,000 soil samples and physical/chemical properties updated every two years.
• Information Management System of Laboratories Network management system coordinating accredited laboratories across Iran for soil, plant, and fertilizer analysis.
• Land Suitability Software Software with capability to evaluate dryland agriculture suitability for crops and orchards across the country.
• Fertilizer Requirement Estimation Software Plant-based model software for estimating fertilizer requirements by province-product, capable of calculating chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers, stimulants, and biofertilizers.
• Agricultural Microclimate Map of Iran Microclimate mapping product for agricultural purposes, developed using data from 185 synoptic stations, 3,400 rain gauge stations, and 240 stations from the Ministry of Energy.
• Reference Evapotranspiration Map of Iran Map showing reference evapotranspiration values across Iran for agricultural water management.
• Soil Salinity Map of Agricultural Lands of Iran Digital soil salinity layer for determining salinity class levels and surface saline soils across different agricultural land uses in Iran.
• Integrated Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Recommendation System Intelligent system that recommends appropriate fertilizer requirements based on integrated soil fertility and plant nutrition guidelines.
• Olive Orchard Nutritional Management Application Mobile/web application for nutritional management of olive orchards with fertilizer requirement recommendations, used in the National Project of Integrated Soil Fertility and Nutrition Management in Olive Orchards.
• Fertilizer Registration and Quality Control Service National service for fertilizer materials registration and quality control, operated by SWRI as the official authority under the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad.
• Biofertilizer Production and Registration Technology Capability package covering production and registration of biofertilizers, development of organic growth stimulants, and production of bio-coated seeds, including a universal culture collection of beneficial soil microorganisms (nitrogen fixers, PGPR, phosphorus/potassium solubilizing bacteria, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi).
• Commissioned Agricultural Research Services Custom research projects commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad, provincial research centers, and other government bodies across seven strategic research axes: soil resource identification, agricultural soil and water monitoring, water-demand management, soil and water in saline conditions, soil fertility and plant nutrition, soil organic carbon, and contamination management.

Quantifiable outcome

• National land suitability software developed and deployed for crop and orchard evaluation across Iran
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Saint Petersburg State University / Higher School of Economics (Russia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2025SWRI and HSE University (Saint Petersburg) held a joint meeting during Iran Expo 2025 to explore bilateral scientific and research cooperation. Agreed areas include faculty and researcher exchange, joint research projects, specialized training courses, cooperation with BRICS countries, standardization of laboratory analysis methods, issuance of joint certifications, and registration of fertilizer materials. Dr. Hamed Rezaei (Deputy of Research and Technology) represented SWRI.
• University of Tuscia (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2025Three researchers from the University of Tuscia, Italy, visited SWRI to develop scientific and research collaboration in sustainable agriculture. Both parties agreed to sign a cooperation memorandum covering bio-fertilizer production and registration for use in Europe and Africa, organic growth stimulant design, bio-coated seed production, and gradual replacement of chemical fertilizers. The Italian delegation was led by Dr. Francesco Rossini.
• FAO Global Soil Partnership - Global Soil Doctors Programme (GSDP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2025SWRI implements the Global Soil Doctors Programme (GSDP) under the FAO Global Soil Partnership in Iran, promoting sustainable soil management. The project is carried out in cooperation with the Deputy of Water and Soil (WSD) and the Central Organization for Rural Cooperatives of Iran (CORC), with approximately 90 hectares under project activities in Golestan Province as the pilot region.
• Central Organization for Rural Cooperatives of Iran (CORC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2025CORC collaborates with SWRI in implementing the FAO Global Soil Doctors Programme (GSDP) in Iran, serving as a key partner for engaging rural cooperatives and farmers in sustainable soil management practices.
• Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Golestan ProvinceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2025The Golestan Province research center serves as the lead implementing body for the Soil Doctors Programme pilot project covering approximately 90 hectares in Golestan Province, under SWRI's scientific coordination.
• Iraqi Ministry of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2024SWRI hosted an expert-level joint meeting with Iraqi soil and water officials to share Iran's capabilities in sustainable soil management, irrigation, and technical knowledge transfer under saline conditions. Discussions covered the use of saline water and wastewater, modern irrigation systems, and implementation of Iran's cultivation pattern in Iraq. Dr. Hadi Asadi Rahmani (Head of SWRI) and Dr. Nasser Davatgar (Director General of Soil Affairs Office) represented the Iranian side.
• FAO Global Soil Partnership - International Network of Salt-Affected Soils (INSAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2023SWRI participates in INSAS, the International Network of Salt-Affected Soils under the FAO Global Soil Partnership. Dr. Hamed Rezaei serves as Vice-chair of INSAS for 2023-2025 and heads the water working group. SWRI attended the Second Plenary Meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in May 2023, with representatives from approximately 20 countries.
• Iran Meteorological OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019SWRI collaborated with the Iran Meteorological Organization to prepare the Agricultural Microclimate Map of Iran, utilizing data from 185 synoptic stations, 3,400 rain gauge stations, and 240 stations from the Ministry of Energy.
• Plant Protection, Seed and Plant Improvement InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution in the Land Suitability Evaluation of Dryland for Oilseeds project, contributing expertise in seed improvement and plant protection for dryland agriculture assessment.
• Dryland Agricultural Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution in the Land Suitability Evaluation of Dryland for Oilseeds project, providing expertise in dryland farming systems and practices.
• Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWRI is affiliated with AREEO under the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad. AREEO oversees SWRI and other national agricultural research institutes, coordinating the broader research, education, and extension network across Iran's agricultural sector.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• CropX Technologies: CropX is a precision-agriculture startup offering soil sensing, irrigation analytics, and farm-management software — comparable to the digital advisory and irrigation scheduling tools SWRI develops through platforms like NIWR and NLSS.

Broad incumbents

• USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): USDA ARS is the U.S. national in-house research agency for agriculture, with extensive programs in soil science, irrigation, and natural resource management, providing a direct comparator for SWRI's national mandate and departmental structure.
• INRAE (France): INRAE is France's national research institute for agriculture, food and environment, conducting soil, water, and agronomy research across seven specialized departments — a structurally similar national model to SWRI.
• Rothamsted Research: Rothamsted Research is the UK's oldest agricultural research institution with deep programs in soil science, sustainable agriculture, and long-term field experiments; it serves as a model long-horizon research peer to SWRI's 70+ year legacy.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): ICAR coordinates India's national network of agricultural research institutes including soil, water, and fertilizer bodies, paralleling SWRI's role as Iran's central agricultural research institute under a parent ministry.
• Trimble Agriculture: Trimble Agriculture provides precision-farming, irrigation, and soil-mapping software at global scale; it represents a commercial incumbent offering that overlaps with SWRI's national land suitability, fertilizer recommendation, and farm advisory software suite.
• CGIAR System Organization: CGIAR is the world's largest publicly-funded agricultural research consortium, addressing crop improvement, water, soil, and climate resilience at global scale; it is the umbrella peer for institutions like SWRI delivering national agricultural research impact.
• Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS): CAAS is China's national agricultural research organization overseeing dozens of specialized institutes covering soil, fertilizer, irrigation, and crop production — comparable in scope and national mandate to SWRI's role in Iran.

Direct peers

• International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA): ICARDA is a CGIAR research center focused on agricultural research in non-tropical dry areas of the developing world, with strong programs on soil salinity, water management, and dryland farming — directly comparable to SWRI's mandate across Iran's arid and saline regions.

Others

• FAO Global Soil Partnership: The FAO Global Soil Partnership is an internationally-recognized platform for soil governance and research coordination; SWRI is an active partner and INSAS member, making it a natural institutional peer in soil resource management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soil-and-water-research-institute-of-iran

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI)