More than 200 tons of ferula produced in Tajikistan last year

DUSHANBE, January 26, 2011, Asia-Plus -- More than 200 tons of ferula were produced in Tajikistan last year, the chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection Talbak Salimov told reporters on January 26.

Last year, Tajik farmers planted ferula on 1,035 hectares of areas under ferula Tajikistan, mainly in Vakhsh, Bokhtar, Rumi, Panj, Farkhor and Danghara districts, he said.  In Tajikistan, ferula is cultivated in 13 districts across the country.

According to him, inspections conducted by specialists from the Committee for Environmental Protection last year recorded instances of violation of president’s decree banning collection and export of ferula in Tursunzoda, Roudaki and Shahrinav districts.

“At present, only open joint-stock company OJSC Faroz, based in Khatlon’s city of Sarband, is authorized to cultivate ferula in the country,” said Salimov, “Last year, they purchased US$115,000 worth of modern equipment for production of ferula gum from India and China.”

On September 20, 2008, President Emomali Rahmon signed a decree banning collection and export of ferula (asafoetida) on the territory of Tajikistan.  Under the decree the government was charged to take necessary measures for processing ferula that had been collected in the country by that date and exporting it in a form of finished product as well as consider the issue of purchase of the necessary equipment and technologies for establishment of production of the ferula-based medicines as well as expansion of areas under ferula in the appropriate regions.

Ferula is a genus of about 170 species of flowering plants in the family Apiacease, mostly growing in arid climates.  Several species of ferula grow in Tajikistan.   One of species of ferula native to Iran and Central Asia is Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida).  It is an herbaceous perennial plant growing to 2 m tall, with stout, hollow, somewhat succulent stems 5-8 cm diameter at the base of the plant.  Asafoetida has certain medicinal uses and most commonly is used as a digestive aid.  It is reputed to lessen flatulence and is often added to lentil or eggplant dishes in small quantities.  It is also said to be helpful in cases of asthma and bronchitis.