Tehran – Iran plans to significantly expand the cultivation of medicinal herbs, aiming to cover 300,000 hectares of land under the seventh National Development Plan (2023-2027), an official with Iran’s Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization said.

According to Tarahom Behzad, the country has already surpassed its previous target, having cultivated medicinal herbs on over 491,000 hectares in the sixth plan. 

The new strategy focuses on sustainable practices that protect the environment, he added. 

Iran's medicinal herb industry is thriving, with exports reaching $550 million in the past year. The country is a major exporter of saffron and medicinal plants to Europe, China, and Arab nations.

With a promising agricultural season due to increased rainfall, officials anticipate even higher yields and exports in the coming year.