Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• H. Moradnezhadi ¹
• Z. Alikhani ²
• M. Vahedi ³

¹ Department of Entrepreneurship and Rural Development, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

² MSc. Graduate Student, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran

³ Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran

Abstract

This research was aimed to identify and prioritize the enterprises related to medicinal plants in Chardavol County. In the present study, due to the nature of the subject, a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods (Dominant-Less Dominant and two phases Design) was used. In qualitative and quantitative phases, depth interviews and descriptive- survey method were used, respectively. The population of qualitative phase was experts of medicinal plants of which 12 people participated in the research by using purposeful sampling method. In quantitative phase, the population was 84 experts of which 50 people were selected by using simple random sampling and based on Chocran formula as the sample. Questionnaires, designed based on the results of qualitative phase and literature review, were the instrument of data gathering in quantitative phase. The validity of questionnaire was confirmed by panel of experts and the reliability of questionnaire was tested by Cronbach alpha coefficient using SPSS software. Results showed that planting of medicinal plants, business of drying, powder and packing of garlic, business of oil extraction and packing of rapeseed, production of turpentine natural chewing gum, were respectively the most important priority of business of services and production, initial processing, secondary processing and final processing of medicinal herbs.

Keywords

• Medicinal herbs
• businesses
• initial processing
• secondery processing
• final processing