Industrial utilization of medicinal and aromatic plants
Most developing countries are endowed with vast resources of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), which are used as food, health care products, and flavouring and fragrances. In spite of tremendous advances made in the development of synthetic drugs, the modern pharmaceutical drug armamentarium still contains at least 25% of drugs derived from plants. Many traditional systems of medicine use primarily medicinal and aromatic plants as a source of drugs. Governments are not aware of the real potential of the plants as raw materials for processing into value-added products nor do they have the facilities, trained manpower and technology to harness this potential. Traditional medicines, which contain mainly plant constituents, have not kept pace with scientific and technological advances. Another problem is the non-availability of information on the quantity, availability and consumption of medicinal and aromatic plants materials. Countries need urgent technical assistance in conducting R&D on plant-based products. This need is felt by the current resurgence of interest in the use of "natural products" in developed countries. Free market economy brings greater openness, expanding markets and demand for new resources, materials and goods. The search for new phyto-pharmaceuticals for the prevention and cure of fatal diseases such as AIDS, cancer and metabolic disorders should be aligned with the increased awareness of biodiversity conservation and the sustainable and protective use of forest resources.
Products that can improve the quality of life and contribute to the income of people in developing countries need to be properly harnessed in a more scientifically and technologically sound, effective and acceptable form.
This component of the ICS programme aims to support this process. Focus is on an action-oriented plan to initiate, promote and develop activities for the sustainable exploitation of these resources, taking conservation issues into account. The ultimate goal is an increase in income for rural households as well as a contribution to the national economy. Main emphasis will be on developing human competencies, promoting technology transfer, R&D support for institutes and provision of access to scientific, technical and marketing information.