Determination of optimal cultivation pattern of medicinal plants using AHP-TOPSIS hybrid model (Case study: Qom province)

This study aimed at determining the optimal cultivation pattern of medicinal plant species using hybrid model of AHP-TOPSIS (Analytic Hierarchy Process-Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) in Qom province. First, among the various, diverse and priority criteria for determining the optimal cultivation pattern of medicinal plants, according to the ecological and economic conditions of the study area and with a survey of a number of experts familiar with medicinal plants, screening of criteria and options that were more important and effective in this regard, was done. Finally, six criteria including heat stress threshold, cold stress threshold, soil texture, water EC, water needs, and economic issues and 10 options including Thymus vulgaris, Matricaria chamomilla, Berberis vulgaris, Crocus sativus, Cuminum cyminum, Cichorium intybus, Sesamum indicum, Echium amoenum, Rosa damascena, and Mentha spicata were selected. At first, the weight of each criterion was determined by the paired comparisons with an incompatibility rate of 0.02 using the AHP model and Expert Choice software. Then the TOPSIS technique was used. The results showed that among the criteria for determining the optimal cultivation pattern of medicinal plants in Qom province, the highest and lowest weight belonged to the economic issues (cost-benefit) and the soil texture criteria, respectively. Also, C. sativus was the best among the options, and R. damascena, C. cyminum, and E. amoenum were placed in the next ranks. This study showed that the hybrid model of AHP-TOPSIS can be used to evaluate and prioritize the options for determining the optimal cultivation pattern of medicinal plants and use the strengths of both models and cover their weaknesses.