Ilichbek Marsbek uulu, the First Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, reported that there are about 500,000 hectares of low-productive land in the country. Cultivating wild medicinal plants on these plots will allow the population to generate additional income and make rational use of unused areas. These plants were chosen for their hardiness and low water irrigation needs.
Moreover, this project will contribute to environmental protection. The transition to cultivation will help protect rare plant species from extinction in the wild and reduce their natural habitats, which are threatened by uncontrolled harvesting.
The list of plants planned for agricultural use includes: valerian, calendula, sage, saffron, ferula, aconite, arnebia, rhodiola rosea, licorice, sea buckthorn, rosehip, barberry, thyme, chamomile, and St. John's wort.
During the discussion, deputies expressed interest in the volumes of harvesting these herbs, export data, and potential profits. However, the deputy minister acknowledged that accurate statistical data on this sector has not yet been collected.
It was also reported that the collection and sale of 10 types of wild herbs are currently prohibited due to the threat of their extinction. Deputy Dastan Bekeshev emphasized the need to strengthen control in this area using modern digital technologies.
