Gilan – More than 6,800 tons of borage, a medicinal plant, are expected to be harvested in the northern Gilan province this year, the head of the province's Agriculture Organization announced.

 

Saleh Mohammadi said the harvest of the valuable plant began in the second half of Farvardin (late March/early April) in the downstream orchards of Eshkevar-e Sofla in Rudsar County.

 

Speaking to reporters, he noted that borage is currently cultivated across 1,279 hectares in seven counties of Gilan. “This year's forecast fresh yield stands at approximately 6,817 tons, with an estimated economic value of around $13.6 million based on market exchange rates.”

 

According to Mohammadi, 6,540 growers are currently engaged in cultivating borage in the counties of Rudsar, Amlash, Astara, Siahkal, Talesh, Rudbar, and Rezvanshahr. One processing unit for borage is also active in the province.

 

Rudsar County ranks first in the province, with 512 hectares under cultivation and an annual production of 2,739 tons of fresh borage, the official said. He added that the borage harvest in Gilan continues until mid-Tir (early July).

 

Overall, Gilan has 2,220 hectares dedicated to medicinal plants, producing more than 10,400 tons of various medicinal species annually, Mohammadi concluded.