Soil and Water Research Institute is one of the research institutes currently affiliated to the “Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization” of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Institute started its activities by soil studies in order to determine the land evaluation for irrigation in development of water resources and agricultural projects since 1952 with the establishment of an independent irrigation department affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture. The “Soil Fertility Department” was set up within the Ministry of Agriculture and in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the late 1950s to conduct research and extension work for the promotion of mineral fertilizer use in Iran. The name of Institute has changed to the Soil Science Institute since 1961.