Articles
POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS FOR HERB PRODUCTION IN NORDIC COUNTRIES
Article number
576_31
Pages
215 – 225
Language
English
Abstract
During the last decades several factors have increased the importance of domestic grown raw material in Scandinavian countries.
During 1984-2000 research concerned with herbs and medicinal plants was quite intensive in many parts of Finland.
The first herb research started in Norway in 1993. All efforts in research and development aimed to help develop domestic production of herbs and medicinal plants, as a new alternative utilisation of cultivated land due to the surplus in traditional agricultural production.
The main limiting factor for commercial herb production is the Nordic climatic condition.
Growers have to use special growing techniques for counterbalancing the short and cool growing period.
The other important hindrance seems to be the Nordic sociogeography.
The dispersed locations of small farm units limit the concentrated and economical cultivation in many parts of the region.
Contrary to the difficulties and realities, during the last 1-2 decades the basis has been founded for new crop production in the Nordic countries.
Even the herb production culture is still young in these countries, the continued interest and the starting of the production on a real economic base has made herb production to be a small, very specialized, but constant element of the Nordic countryside.
During 1984-2000 research concerned with herbs and medicinal plants was quite intensive in many parts of Finland.
The first herb research started in Norway in 1993. All efforts in research and development aimed to help develop domestic production of herbs and medicinal plants, as a new alternative utilisation of cultivated land due to the surplus in traditional agricultural production.
The main limiting factor for commercial herb production is the Nordic climatic condition.
Growers have to use special growing techniques for counterbalancing the short and cool growing period.
The other important hindrance seems to be the Nordic sociogeography.
The dispersed locations of small farm units limit the concentrated and economical cultivation in many parts of the region.
Contrary to the difficulties and realities, during the last 1-2 decades the basis has been founded for new crop production in the Nordic countries.
Even the herb production culture is still young in these countries, the continued interest and the starting of the production on a real economic base has made herb production to be a small, very specialized, but constant element of the Nordic countryside.
Authors
B. Galambosi, S. Dragland
Keywords
Nordic climate, Finland, Norway, spices, medicinal plants, herb research, organic production, growing techniques
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