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Banca dati dei progetti dei PSR

Storing and Processing Aromatic Plants in Czech Republic

Summary

The Czech company Byliny Mikeš Ltd. sought to build a new herb and plant storage facility that meets all EU standards to improve the quality of raw and finished products’ storage conditions.

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Background

Byliny Mikeš s.r.o. was created in 1993 and is today a leading company in trading aromatic plants in Czech Republic. The company purchases, stores and processes raw herb materials. The final products can be used in cosmetics, liquors, for the preparation of food as well as for the pharmaceutical industry. It is therefore important that the material is treated with extreme care and respects the high quality standards as some may be used to make drugs.

Objective

The main objective of the project was to build a storage facility that meets high quality standards. Other objectives were to: i) preserve and share the Czech tradition of aromatic and medicinal plants cultivation; ii) encourage Czech farmers in this sector to switch from conventional farming methods to organic practices (the production of medicinal plants doesn’t allow the use of pesticides or other chemicals, therefore farmers can decide to switch to organic or integrated agriculture).

Main activities

The activities involved the construction of a storage facility, designed to ensure the best conditions for storing raw and processed herb materials. Furthermore, promotion activities were also organised in order to raise awareness about the importance of cultivating medicinal plants. Specific promotion actions were also planned and tailored material produced for schools.

Results & Benefits

The quantity and the quality of collected and stored plants improved considerably. Furthermore, the promotion activities as well as the information provided on the company website had a direct impact on people’s knowledge about medicinal plants. The website and online store strengthened cooperation between growers and gatherers of plants. The project also contributed to the creation of new jobs in rural areas.

Lessons learnt

The company’s improved quality standards boosted the medicinal plants market. The promotional campaign as well as the creation of the website contributed to raise awareness of the general public about the importance of this Czech traditional activity.

Project location and other information

The Czech Republic - South Bohemian Region - Čičenice village.

Region

Jihocesky kraj

RDP Territory

Czech Republic

Total project cost (€)

606 160

EAFRD contribution (€)

180 648

National contribution (€)

60 216

Private contribution (€)

365 296

Project website

Contact name

Petr Mikeš

Languages for contact

English, German, Czech, Slovak

At a glance

Country

Czech Republic

Final beneficiary type

Individual farmers, Other

Budget range

> €500 000

Start date:

20/02/2009

End Date:

12/04/2010

Theme / Measure:

• Competitiveness of Agriculture & Forestry
• Quality of agricultural production and products
• 131. Meeting standards based on EU legislation

Keywords:

Agricultural product quality, Pharmaceutical, Quality certification, EU standards, Therapeutic plants

Last update

19/06/2014