Citrus is one of the most important fruit crops in Iran where it is distributed widely. Citrus & Subtropical Fruits Research Center (CSFRC) is a comprehensive research center governed by Horticultural Sciences Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education & Extension Organization (AREEO) and Ministry of Agriculture. It was established in 1930 as Falahat garden. It renamed to Ramsar agriculture station in 1960 and changed to a citrus station of west of Mazandaran in 1986. Therefore this center had worked directly under supervision of seed and plant improvement institute (to 1992) and an independent citrus research center (1992-1994).
In 1997 this center began to work as Iran Citrus Research Institute. Finally, According to subtropical climate condition, in March 2016, it renamed to Citrus & Subtropical Fruits Research Institute and now it is governed by Horticultural Science Research Institute.
Citrus & Subtropical Fruits Research Institute is located in Ramsar town (East Longitude 50 20' to 50 47', North Latitude 36 32' to 36 59'), a small beautiful coastal city of the Caspian Sea and the westernmost county of Mazandaran province, Rep. Iran. It is 291 Km from Tehran, capital of Iran. Ramsar is a popular sea resort for tourists. The town also offers the ideal Mediterranean climate, the green forests of the Alborz Mountains and tourist destination with beautiful landscape of mountain and seaside.
After several reformation during these years, this institute is independently responsible for studying & researching about Citrus, Kiwifruit, Feijoa, Pomegranate, Fig and Olive.
The responsibility of this institute is doing applied research and fundamental studies related to citrus & subtropical fruits, including: solving major scientific and technical problems in these fruits production and research; determining the research priorities of citrus & subtropical fruits; developing and extending research findings and practical technologies; coordinating the nationwide research programs; academic exchange and cooperating with related institutions and organizations on agricultural science at home and abroad.
Now, there are 21 scientific members in Ramsar center including (1 associate professors, 7 assistant professors and 13 MSc.), that work in three research Departments (Genetic and Breeding, Postharvest Physiology and Technology and Technology and Production Management); and 33 scientific members work in collaborative research stations (25) including Kotra, Khoramabad, Astara, Behshahr and Bayekola, Roudbar, Tarom, Jiroft, Darab, Minab, Hajiabad, Safiabad and Sheldan Bahokalat, Saveh, Yazd, Stahban, Kazeron, Zarghan, Karaj, Gorgan, Sarpolezahab and Kashmar. There are three citrus varieties collections in Kotra, Dezfool, and Jahrom research stations. They hold respectively 135, 195, and 70 citrus genotypes. Many scientific projects, more than 135 workshops & specialized training courses, 5000 lectures to experts & growers, 60 technical & extension publications, 6 books, 100 technical guide issues which is done by this research center, has greatly affected the citriculture of the country.