IRNA | Ali Asghar Ghezelsafloo: Many farmers in Golestan province, northern Iran, are harvesting their echium crops these days. The residents of Fazel Abad village in Azadshahr, Golestan province, are harvesting echium from their 60-hectare lands, which had been left unused until a few years ago before the cultivation of this medicinal plant. In addition to improving the households’ economic situation (bringing more than $11,500 per hectare in revenues), the echium harvest has brought happiness, cooperation and empathy among the family members.