Sustainable Agricultural Practices for the Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Evidence and Recommendations

Sara Marcelino, Samia Hamdane, Pedro D. Gaspar and Arminda Paço ()
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Sara Marcelino: C-MAST—Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Samia Hamdane: C-MAST—Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Pedro D. Gaspar: C-MAST—Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Arminda Paço: NECE—Center for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-22

Abstract: As the demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) increases, so does the pressure to intensify production, increasing the risk of overexploitation of these natural resources. Therefore, both consumers and companies must commit to sustainable practices. Since sustainable practices in MAP production are scattered in the literature, this study aims to provide a comprehensive compilation of agricultural practices to improve sustainable performance in productive activities. This study collects recommended practices for cultivation, harvesting, drying, extraction of essential oils, and packaging, based on guidelines published by the World Health Organization, the European Herb Growers Association, and the European Medicines Agency, and presents complementary information from scientific papers and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Since the circular economy is considered one of the solutions to foster sustainability, the potential for valorising residues from MAP processing is also highlighted. This study allowed us to identify a set of key parameters that should be monitored in MAP production, which may be a starting point for designing a sustainability assessment tool for the sector. By presenting examples of circular economy approaches, this research can help producers to identify new business opportunities.

Keywords: medicinal and aromatic plants; sustainability; circular economy; residue; practices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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