Socio-economic and Commercialization Group

The role of the socio-economic and commercialization group is to promote the economic welfare of the medicinal plants farmers, particularly women, and promote olive products consumption and sales locally, as well as their exports worldwide. The private industry should play a major role in directing the efforts for the improvement of the olive crop and economic return:

• Formulization of farmer co-operatives, stakeholder associations all through the medicinal plants network, and establishment of linkages among them and other governmental and non-governmental organizations and private industry.
• Establishment of efficient extension and training programs, particularly for women, at all levels through out the overall medicinal plants production chain.
• Establishment of a web page on medicinal plants and an information system for the collection and dissemination of information, including among others, international trade and economic forecasting.
• Conducting marketing surveys to assess market needs and consumer attitudes and future trends.
• Promotional campaigns through different means, (media, internet, web page, schools, commercial centers, etc), both locally and abroad, and exploring new markets through exhibiting in international food exhibitions, technical and commercial conferences and other feasible means.
• Adoption and/or development of standards and specifications for medicinal plants products that is compatible with that of the WTO and other international organizations and economic blocs.
• Intensive marketing programs are required to stimulate consumer demand for olive products for young generation and the elderly.
• Propose for universities at their concerned disciplines post-graduate programmes on medicinal plants and for post-graduate students.
• Consolidate links between Agriculture research centers, pharmacognoisist and Agriculture extension circles. Arrange for Agriculture extension programmes on medicinal plants by initiating training courses to be attended by trainees associated with medicinal plants agricultural operations, and those involved in the medicinal industry.

 

AARENINA MAPN Socio-Economic and Commercialisation Working Group Coordinator:
 

Dr. Everaldo ATTARD

Malta
University of Malta
Institute of Agriculture
Msida, MSD06, MALTA
Tel: +35623402323
fax: +35621346519
e-mail: everaldo.attard@um.edu.mt