Analytical review of investment fields in the medicinal plants of Sistan and Baluchestan province

The purpose of this study is to identify and investigate the investment fields in the medicinal plants of Sistan and Baluchestan province. A structured questionnaire was used for the validity and evaluation of the findings by a panel of experts and its reliability was confirmed by Aloha Cronbach index. The sample included 30 medicinal plants experts. The research findings showed that there is a significant difference between the current status of attention to different investment areas and the impact of these areas on the development of the medicinal plants industry, in such a way that the current level of attention is much less than its impact. The results confirmed that in pre-planting stage, “production of organic fertilizers” and the “production of modified seeds” were the highest priorities. On the other hand, at the stage of harvesting and storing the highest investment priorities were in two areas: "Production of special equipment and machinery for harvesting medicinal plants" and "Technology for the detection of the most appropriate harvesting time, taking into account the highest quality and most effective ingredients". At the processing stage of medicinal plants, there are also two priority areas for the “production of aromatic, oral and medicinal products and medicinal plant extracts” and “the production of equipment and processing plants for medicinal plants”. Also, two important investment priorities in packaging and transportation of the medicinal herbs  determined the standards required in the field of packaging and transportation", "technologies for assessing the compliance with international standards for the packaging of medicinal plants", in the marketing  at export stage, "Training of pharmaceutical marketing and exporters", "Development of marketing and sales of medicinal herbs", "Creation and development of marketers and exporters (with guaranteed purchasing systems, etc.)" and the "Creation of Medicinal herbs markets in each of the cities" are recognized as the main investment priorities.