Reducing the cultivation of coriander in Lorestan
In the 1970s to the mid-1980s, coriander was widely grown in northern provincial cities such as Selseleh and Delfan, but unfortunately in recent years the area under cultivation of this medicinal plant has decreased, said a doctor of plant physiology.
Dr. Parvin Ramak stated: Coriander is a kind of vegetable that has medicinal properties and can grow in most parts of Iran.
This faculty member of Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center stated: Based on the pathology, farmers’ lack of knowledge about the technical management of this vegetable fields and the consequent increase in production costs is one of the most important problems in the development of coriander cultivation in the province. .
Referring to the properties of this vegetable, Ramak said: Coriander is one of the healthiest foods in the world, which is as essential in the diet as other fruits and vegetables due to its high antioxidant capacity.
He pointed out: Iran accounts for 4.4% of world trade in medicinal plants and its value is 2 million and 129 thousand dollars. Most of the products are exported to Pakistan, Qatar, Ukraine and Turkey.
The Director General of Natural Resources of Lorestan also announced the allocation of 1000 hectares of national lands for the development of cultivation of medicinal plants in the province.
Shirzad Najafi stated: This year, in line with the resistance economy plan, 1000 hectares of national resources and destructive lands of previous years will be allocated to the cultivation and development of medicinal plants with the participation of the people.
He stated that this amount of cultivation will be implemented in 11 cities of Lorestan, and specified: this plan will be implemented through the transfer of the right to use national lands to the people and according to Article 3 of the Law on Protection and Exploitation of Forests and Rangelands.
Najafi stated: The purpose of planting medicinal plants is to preserve, rehabilitate and exploit natural resources, prevent soil erosion, increase production and income of the people of the region, convert low-yield lands into cultivation of medicinal plants such as shallots, dahlias and thyme.
Director General of Natural Resources of Lorestan stated: Cultivation of medicinal plants is more economical than other crops (wheat and barley). Medicinal plants by combining natural advantages and scientific thought and knowledge can lead to great added value in the country’s economy.
Najafi said: Scientific and technological advances during the last two decades have doubled the importance and constructive role of medicinal plants in meeting human needs, especially in the field of medicine.