Golestan - Golestan Province, bordering approximately 130 kilometers of the Caspian Sea coastline, boasts exceptional natural and geographical advantages for cultivating salt-tolerant plants.

 

The head of Golestan Province’s Agricultural Organization, Mohammad Nazeri, emphasized, “Cultivating salt-tolerant plants such as Salicornia, quinoa, and safflower not only enriches the diversity of our agricultural output but also plays a crucial role in mitigating dust storms by establishing vital plant cover, ultimately generating sustainable income for our agricultural communities.”

 

Dubbed the "green gold of saline lands," Salicornia stands out as a plant with unique attributes, offering diverse applications across agriculture, animal husbandry, and the food industry.

 

In culinary uses, its succulent, segmented stems serve as a valuable resource for both human and animal consumption. Their naturally salty flavor and crisp texture make them a popular ingredient, enjoyed fresh or processed in various local cuisines.

 

Beyond its direct consumption, Salicornia seeds yield a high-quality oil comparable to safflower oil. This oil is rich in essential biochemical compounds, including proteins, amino acids like glutamic acid and asparagine, beta-carotene, and vital minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

 

Furthermore, cultivating just one hectare of Salicornia can yield around 40 tons of forage and a ton of seeds, establishing it as a substantial and valuable source of livestock feed.

 

Adding to its appeal, Salicornia's resilience and ability to thrive in highly saline soils using non-potable water sources like industrial wastewater or seawater position it as an ideal choice for sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid environments.

 

This remarkable plant naturally flourishes along the coasts of Bandar-e Gaz, Gomishan, and Bandar-e Torkaman. Requiring minimal nutritional supplements and fertilizers, it can produce economically significant yields with relatively low inputs.

 

These inherent advantages, coupled with the potential to utilize land exposed by the receding waters of the Caspian Sea, elevate Salicornia to a strategic asset for reclaiming barren lands and transforming them into productive sources of wealth.