Economic Analysis of Wood Cultivation Development Plans in Iran

In addition to natural and human factors, the most important factor in the destruction of Iran's forests is the unauthorized exploitation of the forest and the supply of industrial wood for various purposes. Wood cultivation with hardy species outside of natural stands can be the best factor for reducing the pressure on forests, meeting the needs of industries and economic prosperity. Optimum planning in this sector and identification of suitable potential investment plans require a fundamental evaluation of the plans. In this regard, in this study, the economic analysis of wood cultivation projects in three provinces of the country was performed using discount criteria. The required data and information were collected by referring to the Forests, Rangelands, Watershed Management Organization, and the Agricultural Jihad Organization in 1400. The results showed that using the methods of net present value, benefit to cost ratio and internal rate of return, 6 of the 7 projects reviewed, have economic justification and will be profitable at the end of the operating period. The development of wood cultivation in favorable areas in terms of ecological conditions, the use of effluent for irrigation of trees, contract farming and the combination of wood cultivation with one of the crops are some of the suggestions of the present study.