TEHRAN - The head of Lorestan’s directorate for Agriculture Jihad has announced the province’s strong commitment to becoming Iran’s capital for medicinal plants.

“We are vigorously pursuing the plan to transform Lorestan into the herbal medicine capital,” Seyyed Emad Shahrokhi said on Monday, emphasizing the importance of expanding medicinal plant cultivation, ILNA reported.

Highlighting that their primary objectives in the agricultural sector are production and employment, Shahrokhi noted, “One of the significant achievements in production is the purchase of 4,700 tons of rapeseed from the province’s farmers, a substantial increase compared to last year.”

He stressed the strict measures against illegal land use changes in agricultural areas, noting that judicial authorities will take serious action against officials who neglect to address such violations.

Shahrokhi added that significant steps are being taken to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants in the province’s villages, including the organization of informational and educational classes.

Lorestan, with its unique geographical position at the heart of the Zagros mountain range, is considered a remarkable research hub for medicinal plants, housing many of the region’s valuable plant species.

The province boasts a unique and diverse flora, with both tropical and cold regions, which has led to the proliferation of numerous medicinal plants. Additionally, Lorestan’s climatic diversity makes it one of the rare regions in the country, contributing to its rich variety of medicinal plants. According to available data, over 120 plant species with significant medicinal properties have been identified in Lorestan.

AM