Research Institute of Forestes and Rangelands Iranian Journal of Range and Desert Research 1735-0875 27 2 2020 08 22 Investigation Economic justification of camel in the Central Iranian Plateau Investigation Economic justification of camel in the Central Iranian Plateau 357 370 121774 10.22092/ijrdr.2020.121774 FA Mohammad Abolghasemi Ph.D. student of De-Desertification, University of Hormozgan, Hormozgan, Iran Hananeh Mohammadi Kangarani Assistant Professor, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Hormozgan, Iran, Hosein Azarnivand Professor, Department of Rehabilitation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran Mohammad Ali Emami Meybodi Assistant Professor, Member of Iranian Camel Scientific Society, Iran Journal Article 2019 11 02 This study was conducted in the central plateau of Iran to examine the income, cost, and profitability of conventional systems, in which camel is common during the years 2015 to 2017. For this purpose, by selecting 28 conventional systems with an average of 126 camels, the amount of income and cost per camel during the regular period of each year (spring) was completed and calculated by the operators with a questionnaire. The type of research is practical, and the statistical population included 28 camel herders. Random sampling was performed. Variables included income factors and camel costs. Using the analysis of engineering economics, the current value of income (PV income) and the present value of costs (PV cost) were calculated for the studied years, and then the net present value (NPV) and the benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) was calculated with Excel software. The results showed that in all conventional systems, the net present value was positive, and the benefit-to-cost ratio was greater than one (BCR≥1). The highest gross income in each of the conventional systems was related to the sale of live camels (male camels, 6-month-old camels, elimination camels) and the highest cost was related to camel driver’s wages and the purchase of manual forage. However, by calculating gross income from expenses, the amount of profitability was determined, so it is suggested that due to the appropriate profitability of this profession, the relevant agencies have a plan to expand the cultivation of this industry along with the tourism industry and considering that forage of these habitats will not be able to supply the nutritional needs of camels in traditional areas, and the continuation of this situation will endanger the vegetation; therefore, it should be done with caution. This study was conducted in the central plateau of Iran to examine the income, cost, and profitability of conventional systems, in which camel is common during the years 2015 to 2017. For this purpose, by selecting 28 conventional systems with an average of 126 camels, the amount of income and cost per camel during the regular period of each year (spring) was completed and calculated by the operators with a questionnaire. The type of research is practical, and the statistical population included 28 camel herders. Random sampling was performed. Variables included income factors and camel costs. Using the analysis of engineering economics, the current value of income (PV income) and the present value of costs (PV cost) were calculated for the studied years, and then the net present value (NPV) and the benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) was calculated with Excel software. The results showed that in all conventional systems, the net present value was positive, and the benefit-to-cost ratio was greater than one (BCR≥1). The highest gross income in each of the conventional systems was related to the sale of live camels (male camels, 6-month-old camels, elimination camels) and the highest cost was related to camel driver’s wages and the purchase of manual forage. However, by calculating gross income from expenses, the amount of profitability was determined, so it is suggested that due to the appropriate profitability of this profession, the relevant agencies have a plan to expand the cultivation of this industry along with the tourism industry and considering that forage of these habitats will not be able to supply the nutritional needs of camels in traditional areas, and the continuation of this situation will endanger the vegetation; therefore, it should be done with caution. https://ijrdr.areeo.ac.ir/article_121774_8ba76a1e40ee692bf0f286108ec92d35.pdf