Supporting local production of medicinal plants
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Traditional healers are frequently consulted by local people, who have limited access to expensive western medicine. Most treatments are based on plants (think of leaves, stems, or bark), many of which are harvested from the rainforest of Ranomafana. However, over-harvesting can harm the resource base, reducing plant availability for traditional medical use as well as threatening the area’s plant diversity. In order to ensure a sustainable source of medicinal plants, reduce pressure on the forest and provide a renewable source of income for local people, the project developed a 3 ha medicinal plant plantation Mahatsarabe “Good for All”, which was inaugurated in July 2006, and continues to develop.
A ‘Green Pharmacy’ was opened in 2007 to sell local products and provide consultations in the village of Ranomafana. As demand outstrips supply from the main plantation, the associations involved are trying to set up additional nurseries and plantations in the outlying rural villages. This plantation is run by two local associations – FIMARA (traditional healers) and Ampanjaka (traditional leaders), with the support of Centre ValBio. The associations are in the process of growing a variety of medicinal plants while still harvesting sustainably from the wild (until the plantation matures) to supply demand from outlets in Fianarantsoa and Antananarivo.
Centre ValBio has been working closely with the associations to transfer skills and develop their capacity with the ultimate goal of Mahatsarabe being a long-term viable locally-run enterprise which generates income for the association members. To help to achieve this we are seeking support for the following activities:
1) Support the development of the plantation by ensuring ongoing horticultural expertise for plant production and management
2) Continue to provide training in medicinal plant production, processing and marketing
3) Support the development of the five satellite nurseries and plantations
4) Develop the Green Pharmacy through training and development of treatment facilities and materials.
Centre ValBio
MADAGASCAR - Centre ValBio (the international Centre for Research and Training in the Valorization of Biodiversity) is located near the eastern rainforest corridor of the province of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar. Centre ValBio is situated very close to the Ranomafana National Park. ...
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