Iran to grow medicinal plants in rainfed, dryland regions

The head of Iran’s Agricultural Research Education and
Extension Department in Ardebil said plans are underway to grow medicinal and
aromatic herbs in rainfed and dryland regions across the northwestern
province. 

Medicinal herbs have wider adaptability to drought and other
adverse climatic conditions, Kamal Shahbazi said recently.

He added that these plants comprise a large number of trees,
shrubs, herbs, grasses, etc. which grow wild in different agro-climatic
conditions including arid, semiarid and sub-humid area and can help combat soil
erosion.

“Fennel, common sage, yarrow, Rosa
canina, lavender, savory, asparagus, cumin, Silybum marianum, thyme, rosemary,
and rose are among the local herbs which will be cultivated across the
province,” Shahbazi said.

The global market for herbal products is continuously
expanding and it is expected to touch the mark of US$ 5 trillion by the year
2050, from the US$ 62 billion in 2004.