STATEMENT OF NEED

There is rapid destruction of the natural environment and extinction of both known and unknown plant species.

Causes: Urban and suburban development, Agro-forestry and plantation farming, Industry and pollution, Consumerism, Selective harvesting and exploitation of medicinal plants   

Lack of adequate cultivation measures

Loss of cultural knowledge and practices

Lack of relevant ecological education

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Collecting and seedbanking

Tissue culture laboratories and nurseries for propagation

Harvesting and processing

Packaging and distributing

PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

Building nurseries for propagation of IMP

Community training programmes on collection, propagation, cultivation, harvesting and processing of IMP

Building of seed bank libraries

Database Indigenous Medicinal Plant knowledge systems

EXPECTED BENEFITS AND RESULTS

Continued existence of IMP species

Availability and use of natural medicines

Increased understanding of IMP

Community economic empowerment through the distribution of processed plant material