3000 Plant Species Grow in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province is one of the provinces that lies at the Zagros mountain range in southwestern Iran. Occupying one percent of the country’s area, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari has about 2,500 to 3,000 plant species, 10 to 15 percent of which are medicinal.
The existence of plains covered in flowers and untouched areas full of flowers are among the unique characteristics of this province which has made it apt to breed honeybees and develop it.
Agricultural farms as well as almond and peach orchards are among other properties of this province, that has made it suitable to develop honeybees and honey.
At the moment, the heights of this province are covered with astragalus which attracts a large number of honeybee migrants from other provinces during the flowering phase of astragalus plant. Currently, the best honey produced in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari is the honey taken from astragalus, there is also other honey produced in this province, such as honey from citrus.
Regarding the aforementioned, a senior specialist in livestock science told Mehr reporter, “Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari has a lot of capacity for investment in agricultural section.”
Afshin Moghaddas indicated, “Beekeeping is a field in agriculture and that there is a ground for its development in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.”
He further noted, “Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province is one of the mountainous provinces of Zagros mountain range, which has vast pastures and oak jungles, making it possible to develop beekeeping in this province.”
He said, “Occupying one percent of the area of the country, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari has 2,500 to 3,000 plant species, 10 to 15 percent of which is medicinal.”
He added, “Suitable climate together with flowering plants both have made it possible for this province to have the potential for developing beekeeping in this province.”
Referring to the varieties of productions from the branch of beekeeping, this expert continued to say, “Presently, the beekeepers of this province, make products such as, honey, pollen, poison, etc, paving the ground for more employment for people of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.”
Moghaddas further said, “The progress in beekeeping not only increases the production of honey, but it also brings about more pollination in nature and fruit orchards.”
Referring to the importance of pollination in nature, this researcher stressed, “Pollination in nature prevents plants from being extinct and also in fruit orchards increases the production.”
At the moment, 1,300 people work in beekeeping profession in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.
Addressing this issue, general director of Ministry of Agriculture Jihad of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari told Mehr reporter, “Currently, there are over 131,000 beehives in this province.”
Zabihollah Gharib added, “Over 960,000 tonnes of honey is annually produced in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and the honey produced in this province is one of the best qualities in Iran.”
He indicated, “The honey produced in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari has a good market but also in comparison with other honeys, its price is relatively high.”
He further noted, “Right now, over 1,300 people are working in beekeeping profession in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.”
Indicating that over 90 percent of honeybee’s function is related to pollination, he added, “The suitable climate as well as the variety of vegetation in this province are the two main factors for the high quality of honey in this area.”
General director of Ministry of Agriculture Jihad of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province said, “The beekeepers of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari are very professional, because in winter they emigrate to provinces of Khuzestan, Fars, Bushehr and Bandar Abbas and in spring they return to their own province.”
Mehr News Agency