ICARDA/IFAD Expert Consultation Workshop on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Exports in the Near East and North Africa Region
10 July – 12 July 2007 (Aleppo, Syria)
Excerpted from an article in the Yemen Observer

Scientists from all over the world have recently begun deliberations on the role of herbal, medicinal and aromatic plants (HMAPs) in improving the livelihoods of the rural poor. Researchers attended a three-day regional expert workshop focused on evolving strategic directions in finding solutions to the challenges, constraints and prospects of using herbal, medicinal and aromatic plants in improving the livelihoods of the rural poor.

Dr. Mahmoud Solh, director general of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), said it was regrettable that indigenous knowledge on HMAPs was not backed up with adequate use of modern technology, despite the fact that folk medicine still serves 80 percent of the rural population in the world.

“HMAP sector faces various challenges and constraints, such as over-exploitation of naturally occurring species, fragmented approaches and projects that address only limited aspects of selected HMAP value chains, lack of quality control standards of locally produced HMAPs and products, and poor distribution of benefits in value chains.” – Dr. Mahmoud Solh, Director General, ICARDA

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