Introduction of Iran National Chickpea Council

Kermanshah is one of the most important chickpea producers in the country and, according to the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad statistics, ranks first in terms of production of the product as well as its cultivation surface area. Therefore, in the year 2006, a union called Chickpea Exporters Union was formed in Kermanshah Province and during the past 6 years it was active as a provincial union. However, because of the strategic importance of this product, the necessity of a national institution for the protection of the production, processing, trade, and export of chickpea was obvious.
For this purpose, and after plenty of meetings such as the minutes of proceedings of general assembly of the founders and the board of directors dated 2012 - 07 - 17, the Iran Chickpea Council under no.337 dated 2012 - 11 - 11 was registered and established in Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, and it was headquartered in Kermanshah Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.
In the first meeting of the board of directors of the Iran National Chickpea Council dated 2012 - 07 - 17 in Kermanshah Chamber, with the presence of all members and signatories, the following decisions were adopted :
( Appointments )
Mr. Naser Moradi as the Chairman of the Council
Mr. Burhan Heidari as the Council's first Vice - President
Mr. Farzad Bavondpor as the second Vice - President of the Council,
Mr. Saman Heydari as the Inspector of the Council
Mr. Khalil Tanha as Treasurer of the Council
And Mr. Shahryar Bavondpor as Assistant Secretary of the Council.
Also, according to the approval dated 2012 - 08 - 26 of the board of directors of Iran Chamber, Mr. Keyvan Kashfi as representative of Iran Chamber is embedded in the board of directors of Iran National Chickpea Council. At present, this Council has about 70 members.

Duties and powers of the council under article 7 of the articles of association are as follows :
7 - 1 Attempting to organize domestic and foreign production and trade and consumption of chickpea and it products.
7 - 2 Global and domestic continuous marketing, identifying international markets, and informing about the global and domestic prices.
7 - 3 Teamwork in decision making and making decisions, and preparing the draft laws, regulations and legislation, related to the chickpea production and trades in order to maintain the financial interests of the members, to be presented to the three branches of government.
7 - 4 Establishing relationships with banks, credit organizations, domestic and overseas financial supports funds in the framework of the Islamic Republic's laws and paving the way to obtain financial credits and facilities fields towards development of the activities of its members.
7 - 5 Establishing an information bank in the fields related to the objectives and tasks of the council, domestic and overseas commercial and manufacturing activities of members, and publication of specialized books, magazines and brochures.
7 - 6 Activities towards absorption and participation of natural and legal persons who are eligible for membership in the Council.
7 - 7 Undertaking any educational, scientific and research activities within and outside the country within the framework of law to achieve the goals of the council.
7 - 8 Contribution to the realization of qualitative and quantitative objectives set for domestic and overseas production and trade of chickpea and its products.
7 - 9 Protecting common interests of the members.
7 - 10 Pursuing the demands of the members.
7 - 11 Providing advisory and legal services to the members.
7 - 12 Encouraging and supporting investment in domestic and overseas production and trade of its products.
7 - 13 Blocking unhealthy competition of members in domestic and foreign markets through applying the terms of Disciplinary Committee of Iran Chamber.
7 - 14 Monitoring the production process and improving the methods of cultivation, genetic modification, help fighting pests and quarantine affairs.
7 - 15 efforts to generate and nurture appropriate varieties for different regions of the country.
7 - 16 Attempting to reduce costs and the product’s cost price.
7 - 17 Identifying and introducing chickpea planting and harvesting machinery to facilitate current methods.
7 - 18 Trying to access global markets and to create the appropriate opportunities for coordination of the activities of the members.
7 - 19 Participation in the formulation of national and international standards
7 - 20 Attempting to resolve disputes between members and if required, through arbitration of Iran Arbitration Center.
7 - 21 Introducing the members to ministries and organizations to use the required services.
7 - 22 Providing the package and necessary mechanism to accept the government’s executive duties and assistance, that may be delegated to the council upon implementation of the general policy of article 44 of the Constitution.
7 - 23 Implementation of government’s executive tasks delegated to the council, including tasks such as representative or buying agent, etc.
7 - 24 Preparation of the council performance reports in 3 and 6 month intervals along with raising up executive problems and obstacles and submitting it to Iran Chamber.
7 - 25 Offering executive proposals to resolve the problems of production and trade and consumption and commodity group relevant to council’s activities, to institutions, ministries and other concerned bodies.
7 - 26 Holding training courses and conducting scientific, industrial and commercial research both inside and outside the country and holding specialized conferences.
7 - 27 Holding or attending exhibitions both inside and outside the country related to the functions and activities of the Council.
7 - 28 Attempting to attract domestic and overseas capital, technology, management, technical knowledge and skilled manpower for the development and promotion of activities of the Council.
7 - 29 Attempting to force the members towards sound implementation of economic regulations and respecting of the country’s commercial dignity, and the provisions of the articles of association and regulations of the council.
7 - 30 Communicating with reputable global scientific and academic centers for improvement of chickpea production and processing methods.
7 - 31 Establishing collaboration and coordination between producers and merchants and the owners of the chickpea - related industries and products derived from it.
7 - 32 Pursuing and planning in order to enable members take advantage of supportive policies and trade and commercial incentives.
7 - 33 Establishing relationships with policymakers and planners and trying to influence the planning and decisions and relevant rules and regulations to increase the benefits of contributing members and national interests.
7 - 34 Trying to provide insurance coverage for chickpea producers, industry owners, and traders against potential losses.
7 - 35 The necessary planning in order to create healthy competition for the price and quality of this products and byproducts.
7 - 36 Holding workshops to enhance the technical knowledge of producers, merchants and industry owners of the processing and packaging industries.
7 - 37 Providing the possibility of transfer of scientific and technical information and experience from overseas in the areas of processing, sorting and packaging.
7 - 38 Planning in order to increase the degree of chickpea mechanization with devices such as cultivating, picking and packing machinery.
7 - 39 Trying to hold national and international conferences in order to benefit from the opinions and convey the findings and support strategic research.
7 - 40 The formation of a fund to support production and trade as well as scientific activity in the field of chickpea.
7 - 41 Trying to introduce the National Chickpea Council to relevant international organizations and councils, and to make them recognize this entity as Iran’s official chickpea authority in the private sector.
7 - 42 Issuances of health and standard certification, for manufactured and exports products through competent and reputable laboratories, on behalf of concerned ministries and agencies in case of entrusting the authority.
7 - 43 Signing memorandum of understanding and entering into cooperation contracts with ministries and agencies and organizations and related to the objectives and functions of the council.