Economic Evaluation of Asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida L.) Exploitation in Summer Rangelands of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

5 Research Assistant Professor, Forest and Rangeland Research Department, Baluchestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Iranshahr, Iran.

10.29252/aridbiom.2025.4211

Abstract

Rangeland medicinal plants have high economic and therapeutic value. Sustainable exploitation of these plants requires knowledge of the ecological and economic potential of their habitats. This study aimed to economically evaluate the harvesting of asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida L.) resin in three rangeland habitats of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, including Garz-e Sangan (Khash), Bag-e Sartalap (Taftan), and Paskouh (Sib and Suran). In each habitat, using local knowledge and the traditional incision method, plant resin was collected over 15 stages from plants at least four years old. The total number of sampled plants in each habitat was 25 plants, equivalent to one plant per 100 m² plot. Plots were randomly established, and the density of harvestable plants was calculated. In economic calculations, 80% of the plants were considered permissible for harvesting, and a five-year rotation was observed to prevent species extinction. The base selling price of resin was assumed to be $200 per kilogram based on the export value of the product, with a reference exchange rate of 1.5 million Rials per dollar. The results showed that the useful surface areas of the habitats were 64, 67, and 38 hectares, respectively; the number of permissible plants per hectare was 600, 540, and 850 plants; and the total resin production was 2,880, 2,713, and 2,422 kg, respectively. The total exploitation period (including marking, stoning, and 15 incision stages) lasted 180 days, based on which the labor costs for the aforementioned habitats were calculated as 126,000, 108,000, and 90,000 million Rials (equivalent to 84,000, 72,000, and 60,000 thousand dollars), respectively. Restoration costs (pit-planting) based on the approved rates of the Forests, Range and Watershed Management Organization were estimated at 3,250, 3,500, and 2,000 million Rials, respectively. The net profit after deducting labor, transportation, pit-planting, protection, and ownership costs was estimated at 3,755,150, 3,536,850, and 3,181,400 million Rials (equivalent to 2,503,433, 2,357,900, and 2,120,933 thousand dollars), respectively. The average benefit-to-cost ratio across the entire study area was 6.8, indicating the high economic justification of the project. Sensitivity analysis showed that if approved guaranteed prices (80 to 120 million Rials) were used instead of the export price, the project would lack economic justification. Furthermore, based on field experiences, the pit-planting method is not effective for restoring asafoetida habitats, and surface seeding and the use of harvesting stone enclosures (kols) are proposed as more effective methods. The results of this research can be applied in formulating the vision document for the exploitation of medicinal plants and designing multi-purpose rangeland management plans (integrating livestock grazing and medicinal plant harvesting) while adhering to ecological principles.

Keywords

Main Subjects

مقاله علمی - مروری

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Journal of Arid Biome
Volume 15, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 125-139

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