An economic study production and marketing project of some medicinal and aromatic plants in Lattakia GovernorateAn economic study production and marketing project of some medicinal and aromatic plants in Lattakia Governorate

Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in Syria is one of the alternative economic crops, which has recently prevailed due to the appropriate natural and environmental conditions, in addition to its good economic yield, in light of the high cost of other crops.The study was conducted in Lattakia Governorate, where the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants is widespread due to appropriate climatic and environmental conditions. It included a random 384-household questionnaire. The results of the field survey have shown about 321 farms specialized in cultivating mint (Mentha viridis) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) plants on a total area of 179 dunums. The area planted with these plants is inconsiderable as the farms are small (less than one dunum).The research dealt with two aspects: the first is an economic study of the cost and return of mint and chamomile plants in Lattakia Governorate and their economic evaluation by calculating some indicators of economic analysis, and the second is studying the economic feasibility for drying and packaging medicinal and aromatic plants and extracting their oils.The results, as expected, have shown good economic returns for medicinal and aromatic plants projects, as the annual profit of one dunum planted with mint and chamomile ranged (1,370,000-911,000) SP, respectively, and the total economic efficiency was (2.32-1.9), respectively. The period of invested capital recovery was (0.75-1.1) years, respectively, while the value of return coefficient versus production costs ranged (187.31-127.98) per cent, respectively.The results has also demonstrated the feasibility of drying and packaging these crops and extracting their oils, as the time period required to recover the capital invested in these projects is three years, which is a standard period that promotes investment. Moreover, the rate of investment return reached 33.53%, which is high and good and is higher than the level of interest prevailing in the market. The project's present value coefficient was 2.14 greater than the prime one, implying project feasibility.