Ministry of Agriculture Jihad Distributing 13 Subsidized Medicinal Plants Saplings

Referring to the fact that more than 58 thousand hectares of lands in the country are under cultivation of different types of medicinal plants and Rosa damascenas, Mitra Majdzadeh said, “The area under cultivation of medicinal plants has risen to 44 thousand hectares in comparison to 2013 which was 41 thousand five hundred hectares.”
The deputy minister of department of greenhouse and medicinal plants affairs of Ministry of Agriculture Jihad added, “The area under the cultivation of Rosa damascena was 14 thousand five hundred hectares last year whereas it was 12 thousand hectares in 2013.”
Majdzadeh said, “Cumin, Henna, Glastum, Coriander and Damask rose are among the most exported plants.”
Referring to the farmers’ support by Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, she added, “The ministry introduces and distributes those species worth producing and those that are adapted to live in salty and dried environments, doing so it can increase the production and income of those farmers who cultivate medicinal plants.”
Current Distribution of 13 Subsidized Medicinal Plants Saplings
The deputy minister of department of greenhouse and medicinal plants affairs of Ministry of Agriculture Jihad said, “The government’s support of medicinal plants producers can be seen in facilities such as mechanization development, distribution of subsidized saplings and implementation of modern and pressurized irrigation plans in medicinal plants gardens.”
“Presently, 13 subsidized medicinal plants saplings are being distributed among farmers.”, Majdzadeh added.
Regarding the development plan of processing and complementary industries in medicinal plants she said, “This development is outstanding in medicinal plants sectors in food, health and cosmetic industries, and these plants are used in the production of varieties of medicine, ointment and spices.”
The Administration of the Rebuilding Plan of Processing and Complementary Industries in Medicinal and Traditional Plants
The deputy minister of department of greenhouse and medicinal plants affairs of Ministry of Agriculture Jihad announced that the rebuilding plan of processing and complementary industries in medicinal and traditional plants is being administered, then added, “The equipment and machinery in the industry is old but with the facilities that the ministry is providing the owners of these industries, there is going to be a replacement of those with the new devices.”
Regarding the domestication of medicinal plants that are grown in the natural environment of our country, Majdzadeh said, “Several research plans in the research sectors are being carried out and so far 100 medicinal plants have been domesticated.”
She reported that 130 thousand tons of medicinal plants are produced in the farms and referring to the excessive harvest of these plants from the natural environment said, “The Ministry of Agriculture Jihad’s view is to cultivate and produce medicinal plants and exploitation of the natural environment is not approved.”
Legal Actions Against Exploitation Offenders in Medicinal Plants
The deputy minister of department of greenhouse and medicinal plants affairs of Ministry of Agriculture Jihad stated, “The beneficiaries of medicinal plants of the natural environment must get a permit, and there must be a legal action taken against those who exploit the pastures of the country without a permit.”
Majdzadeh went on to say, “The illegal exploitation of the pastures and the natural environment will have an irrevocable damages to the natural habitat, for instance, the natural habitat conditions for the growth of Ferula gummosa is currently endangered.”
Trafficking of Medicinal Plants
Referring to the trafficking of medicinal plants she stated, “The plants that are collected from the natural environment are often exported illegally. Therefore, in order to prevent these actions, the necessary arrangements have been made with the police force.”