Investigating Motivations and Problems of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Processing in Kashan City, Iran

摘要

The importance of medicinal and aromatic plants is increasing day by day. The international market of herbal products is estimated to be US$ 62 billion which is poised to grow to US$ 5 trillion by 2050. For making full use of this potential, countriesmust develop scientific cultivation, post harvest technology, processing, manufacturing, research and extension, patenting and marketing for medicinal plants. With regards to this importance, the main goal of this research was to study the motivations and problems of aromatic plant processing at Kashan City, Iran. This city has more than 370 species of wild medicinal and aromatic plants. Over 70 plant species are processed in this region. The result of processing is the production of rosewater and other distillates. In this survey, a research questionnaire was used. Reliability was determined by Cronbach's alpha (> 0.7) and validated by the ideas of selected experts and producers. The statistical population were traditional producers of rosewater andother distillates 105 of whom were selected randomly. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency, percentage, cumulative percentage, mean, minimum, maximum, coefficient of variation and factor analysis were used for data analysis. The result of factor analysis for motivations of aromatic plant processing indicated that five factors (cultural belief, economic, skill, relative advantage and job creation) explained 68% of total variance. Regarding the problems of aromatic plant processing, five factors (economic, production, managerial, research and support) explained 74% of total variance.