WORKSHOP ON IDENTIFICATION OF EDUCATION NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREA OF MAP PRODUCTION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Skopje, 11 March 2016

Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - MAP Global trend in returning back to traditional values of folk medicine Natural (organic) : artificial (chemical) pharmaceutical and cosmetic products Increased demand on the markets / by the consumers Reduced pressure on the biodiversity Increased profitability Support programmes for the production, processing and marketing

Strengths - advantages Favourable climatic conditions (micro-climate, Mediterranean influence) Favourable soil conditions (natural populations of wild growing species) Clean and unpolluted areas (no pollution from industrial facilities, intensive agriculture) Available agricultural land Established subsidy schemes for cultivation of MAP Contracted / planned production

Weaknesses - disadvantages Legal framework (agro, phyto, eco) MAP Database - producers, areas, crops - processors, capacities, products - seeds and seedlings, reproduction materials Specialised literature, education and training Information, networking, promotion

MAP in the Balkans and in Macedonia Croatia > 4,400 hа, Bosnia and Herzegovina < 600 hа Serbia > 2,000 hа Montenegro < 100 hа Albania > 300 hа Kosovo > 200 hа Macedonia < 300 hа (source: AMAPSEEC Association for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of South East European Countries)

Conventional production (ha) EHGA-Europam (2005) Country Conventional production (ha) Organic production Austria 24 300 1094 Bulgaria 1 101 5 Denmark 9 24 Finland 1 570   France 35 500 Germany 10 350 925 Greece 3 300 1 720 Hungary 1 325 Italy 17 313 783 Netherlands 2 914 116 Slovakia 623 70 Sweden 4 Switzerland United Kingdom 9 600

EU Countries in the Region – Bulgaria MAP cultivated area 86,419 ha Volume of production 94,506 tons Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) 73,960 ha Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 3,959 ha Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) 3,530 ha Wild rose (Rosa damascena) 1,750 ha Linden (Tilia spp.), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita ) EUROPAM 2010, European Herb Growers Association

EU Countries in the Region – Greece MAP cultivated area 3,383 ha - Saffron (Crocus sativus) 625 ha - Oregano (Origanum vulgare spp. hirtum) 550 ha - Mastic Wood (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) 2,000 ha - Mountain Tea (Sideritis spp.) - Basil (Ocimum basilicum) - Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) - Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) - Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) EUROPAM 2010, European Herb Growers Association

Most Common Cultivated Species Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Mountain Tea (Sideritis scardica) Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis) Winter Savory (Satureja montana) Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Pimpinella anisum* Анасон Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Thyme (Thimus spp.) Sage (Salvia officinalis) Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum) Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

Availability of reproduction materials for the production of MAP Certified seeds – exclusively from import - organic or conventional MAP seedlings – from the region (Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania) Fertilisers and protection products Stable manure (organic and conventional) Post-harvest treatment / drying tools and equipment Machines

Market and Sales Increased demand for cultivation of MAP for export (raw materials) Limited / small number of final products Contracted production and buy-out Individual approach by farmers Familiar partners and export destinations Growth of domestic markets

MAP Perspectives Networking and exchange of knowledge and experiences in the region Specialised literature on MAP cultivation System of education and training Model of contracted production Joint approach on the markets Constant information in the media

Thank you for your attention Panče NIKOLOV