project - EIP-AGRI Operational Group
New scenarios for the industrial production of aromatic and medicinal plants in traditional agricultural systems in Catalonia
Nuevos escenarios de producción industrial de planta aromática y medicinal en los sistemas agrarios tradicionales de Catalunya
Context
The project aims to analyse the performance of different commercial varieties of a set of aromatic and medicinal plant (AMP) species that could be grown commercially in different agricultural scenarios in Catalonia.
Species have been chosen which are in good demand on the market both as dried plant and essential oil and which can be adapted to different growing conditions.
During this period of work, information has been collected on crop management, including mechanisation, especially weed control and harvesting, and on industrial processing systems (drying and distillation) to help plan a real large-scale cultivation strategy.
At the same time, it has also been observed whether this type of crop has an impact on pollinating insect populations, on the biodiversity of the agricultural system and whether it can be compatible for cultivation in steppe bird protection areas (SPAs).
Objectives
1. To assess the agronomic response, quality, cultural and mechanisation requirements of large-scale cultivation of some aromatic and medicinal plant species.
2. To obtain a real and contrasted analysis of the economic and technical viability of the production on an industrial scale of some AMP species.
3. To observe the compatibility of the cultural management applied to these crops with the conservation of steppe bird species in the agricultural areas declared as SPAs.
4. To assess the impact of these crops on biodiversity by measuring their function as an enhancer and maintainer of pollinating insect populations in the plantations themselves and in adjacent agricultural areas.
Objectives
1. Evaluar la respuesta agronómica, la calidad (composición química) y las necesidades culturales y de mecanización del cultivo a gran escala de algunas especies de PAM.
2. Obtener un análisis real y contrastada de viabilidad económica y técnica de la producción a escala industrial de algunas especies de PAM.
3. Observar la compatibilidad del manejo cultural aplicado a estos cultivos con la conservación de las especies de aves esteparias en los espacios agrarios declarados como ZEPAS.
4. Valorar el impacto de estos cultivos en la biodiversidad con su función como potenciador de poblaciones de insectos polinizadores en las propias plantaciones y en los espacios agrarios adyacentes.
Activities
Mainly the establishment of three test plots in Castelldans (Garrigues), Preixens (Noguera) and Sanaüja (Segarra) and the monitoring and sampling of the different species.
Evaluation of the abundance of pollinating insects in the AMP plots of Castelldans and Sanaüja at the time of flowering of lavandin in contrast with neighbouring plots of cereals, almond trees and fallow land.
Prospecting for large-scale industrial distillation and drying systems capable of processing the volume of fresh plant generated in a simulated industrial production scenario.
Technical meetings and workshops with AMP producers in order to give the members of the task force first-hand knowledge of AMP production.
Activities
Principalmente la implantación de tres parcelas de ensayo en Castelldans (Garrigues), Preixens (Noguera) y Sanaüja (Segarra) y el seguimiento y muestreo de las diferentes especies.
Evaluación de la abundancia de insectos polinizadores en las parcelas de PAM de Castelldans y Sanauja en el momento de la floración del lavandín en contraste con las parcelas vecinas de cereal, almendros y barbecho.
Prospección de sistemas industriales de destilación y secado de gran formato capaces de procesar el volumen de planta generada en un escenario de producción industrial simulado.
Visitas técnicas, encuentros y jornadas de trabajo con productores de PAM.
Project details
- Main funding source
- Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups
- Rural Development Programme
- 2014ES06RDRP009 Spain - Rural Development Programme (Regional) - Cataluña
Location
- Main geographical location
- Lleida
EUR 128963.3
Total budget
Total contributions from EAFRD, national co-financing, additional national financing and other financing.
Contacts
Project coordinator
-
Roser Cristóbal Cabau
Project coordinator