Strategic planning of marketing of medicinal plants in rural areas (Case study: Chenaran county)

One of the important factors that fail to achieve the goals of agricultural development and increase production and income of farmers in developing countries is the inadequacy of the marketing system of agricultural products. The research method is descriptive-analytical and the type of research is applied. The farmers' analysis unit has been producing medicinal plants and rural experts. In this study, two strategic planning and management tools, namely SWOT and QSPM, were used. Based on field and documentary studies, 14 strengths and opportunities were identified as advantages and 24 weaknesses and threats as limitations and bottlenecks in the marketing of medicinal plants. According to the final score in the internal factors evaluation matrix IFE = 2.12 and in the external factors evaluation matrix EFE = 1.725, "defensive" (minimum-minimum) strategies were found to be desirable. Also, with the help of Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM), 11 defensive strategies were prioritized. In the meantime, the strategy of "reforming the marketing system of medicinal plants in the country" by identifying target markets for effective presence in the international trade of medicinal plants, determining a traceable code on the export shipments of medicinal plants, establishing specialized companies for exporting medicinal plants And standards and the like, with a score of 3.758, were prioritized as the focal strategy. Obviously, in this regard, adopting appropriate policies and strategies based on realistic knowledge of the current situation, can lead to an increase in the share of medicinal plants in global markets while making optimal use of available resources (water and soil) and meeting domestic needs.