| چکیده انگلیسی مقاله |
Background and objectives: Due to the scorching desert environment and frequent severe droughts, residents of the rural districts of Zabol County have suffered significant losses to their livelihoods in recent years. As a result, identifying climate-resilient income sources and strategies to improve the county's economic prospects has become crucial. The cultivation of medicinal plants, with their extensive value chain, income-generating potential, and resilience to environmental challenges, stands out as a highly promising livelihood option. It can play a pivotal role in creating employment opportunities and reducing poverty in rural areas. This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of cultivating selected medicinal plants in the rural areas of Zabol County.
Methodology: The statistical population consisted of 25 specialists, including researchers from the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, staff from the Agricultural Jihad Organization in Zabol County, and medicinal plant experts from the private sector. Participants were selected purposefully. Data were collected through interviews and a researcher-designed questionnaire. The data analysis was conducted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Medicinal plants were selected based on a literature review and expert interviews. Ten species were identified as having the most extensive history of cultivation in the study area: Cuminum cyminum, Nigella sativa, Plantago psyllium, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Trachyspermum ammi, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Linum usitatissimum, Matricaria chamomilla, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, and Rosa damascena.
Results: The average age of the experts surveyed was approximately 55 years, with a standard deviation of 10.9 years. Most of the participants held bachelor's or master's degrees in fields related to agriculture. Their average work experience in the agricultural sector was about 15 years, with a standard deviation of 8.6 years. All respondents had prior experience in medicinal plant activities, including production, research, or trade. According to the experts, the most important criteria for selecting medicinal plants for cultivation were: economic factors, technical and climatic features, infrastructural and technological aspects, policy and management, and knowledge and attitudes. Based on these criteria, Rosa damascena (3.32), Hibiscus sabdariffa (3.12), and Cuminum cyminum (3.05) were identified as the top three priority species for cultivation in Zabol County. The findings further revealed that among the various sub-criteria affecting the development of medicinal plant cultivation, the most critical were technical aspects and climatic conditions, infrastructure, and appropriate technology. Additionally, the sub-criteria of compatibility with the regional climate, marketability, and ease of harvesting, processing, and storage were identified as the top three factors requiring special attention.
Conclusion: Climate change and its adverse effects, combined with limited economic opportunities in rural areas, pose significant challenges to the livelihoods of villagers. One strategy to address these issues is to identify income sources that are compatible with both the climatic conditions and the economic potential of rural communities. Expanding the cultivation of medicinal plants, given their high income-generating potential and notable adaptability to environmental stresses, can be an effective approach to creating employment opportunities, increasing income, reducing poverty, and preventing rural migration. However, not all medicinal plants are equally suitable for cultivation in every region. It is therefore essential to evaluate these species based on a range of characteristics before recommending them for cultivation, to ensure the success and long-term sustainability of their development. |