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A southern African guide on commercialising medicinal plants

A comprehensive guide on the commercialising of medicinal plants was just published by the Commercial Products from the Wild Group (CPWild), a research group within the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University.

The use and trade of plants for medicinal and cultural purposes has, over the last ten to fifteen years, come under the spotlight of economists, environmentalists, social scientists, policy-makers and trade organisations. Medicinal plants are recognised as the basis for a number of critical human health, social and economic support systems. However, it has also been recognised that there are many challenges to be overcome:

· Unsustainable harvesting of wild plant stocks threatens species and habitats.
· Poor regulation of product standards threatens human lives.
· An influx of new commercial interests threatens cultural identity, knowledge systems and economic opportunities for disadvantaged trader groups.
· Limited regulatory capacity in third world producer countries limits enforcement of sustainability and quality standards.

Limited knowledge about the use and trade of medicinal plants constrains interventions to support and develop the industry for the benefit of current roleplayers.

"The trade in medicinal plants and products in southern Africa is largely informal and underdeveloped, with limited value-adding taking place. However, the current role players in the medicinal plants industry in southern Africa have an opportunity to catch the rising tide of international interest in the commercial development of medicinal plant resources," explains Ms. Nicci Diederichs from CPWild.

"Southern Africa is home to a significant plant biodiversity, substantial indigenous knowledge of plant uses for medicine, and a large number of active role players in harvesting, use and trade of plants for medicinal use. These are the ingredients for the development of a future regionally important economic sector that can address many of the existing challenges and opportunities associated with medicinal plant resources," she says.

The southern African Guide to Commercialising Medicinal Plants provides information, technologies, ideas and inspiration to individuals and institutions wanting to understand the medicinal plants industry in southern Africa and contribute towards its sensitive and appropriate development.

More information:

The book is available from African Sun Media, Stellenbosch, at R180 and can be ordered online at www.sun-e-shop.co.za 

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