[MPWG] Transitioning from wild collection to forest cultivation of indigenous medicinal forest plants in eastern North America is constrained by lack of profitability

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

The recent publication by Burkhart and Jocobsen on the economics of 
cultivating medicinal plants (see abstract 1) makes important points on 
the practicality of cultivation versus wild harvesting. 

The merits of wild harvesting versus cultivation have been discussed in 
various venues, both domestically and globally - see abstracts 2 and 3. 

What are your thoughts on where we stand in North America on cultivating 
versus wild-harvesting native medicinal plants?

-Patricia

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural 
resources.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>

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abstract 1

Transitioning from wild collection to forest cultivation of indigenous 
medicinal forest plants in eastern North America is constrained by lack of 
profitability
By      Eric P. Burkhart & Michael G. Jacobson

Abstract        The forest flora of eastern North America includes many 
herbaceous plant species traded in domestic and international medicinal 
markets. Conservation concerns surrounding wild-collection exist and 
transitioning to cultivation in agroforestry systems has potential 
economic and ecological benefits. Costs and revenues associated with 
adopting forest cultivation were modeled for eight North American 
medicinal forest plants. Sensitivity analysis examined profit potential in 
relation to (1) discount rates; (2) propagation methods; (3) prices; (4) 
growing period; (5) production costs; and (6) yields. Results indicate 
that intensive husbandry of six of eight species would be unprofitable at 
recent (1990?2005) price levels. Exceptions are American ginseng (Panax 
quinquefolius L.), and under certain circumstances (e.g., maximum historic 
prices, low production costs) goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.). Direct 
marketing to consumers and retailers might improve grower profits, but is 
undermined by the availability of cheaper, wild-collected product. We 
suggest that the North American medicinal plant industry could play a key 
role in facilitating any transition from wild to cultivated product, 
perhaps through development of a certification and labeling program that 
brands ??forest cultivated?? products. This could generate price premiums, 
to be passed along to growers, but must be accompanied by aggressive 
consumer education. A ??forest cultivated?? certification and labeling 
program has potential to benefit industry and consumers if assurances 
regarding product identity and quality are a central feature. Plant 
species that are not viable candidates for commercial cultivation due to 
limited consumer demand (i.e., species with ??shallow,?? erratic markets) 
are best addressed through proactive government and industry initiatives 
involving targeted harvester education programs.

Full story:             Agroforest Syst (2009) 76:437?453

E. P. Burkhart (&)
Shaver?s Creek Environmental Center, The Pennsylvania
State University, Petersburg, PA 16669, USA
e-mail: epb6 at psu.edu

M. G. Jacobson
School of Forest Resources, The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

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abstract 2

Impact of Cultivation and Gathering of Medicinal Plants on Biodiversity: 
Global Trends and Issues
By  Uwe Schippmann, Danna J. Leaman and A. B. Cunningham
Published in
FAO. 2002. Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach in Agriculture, 
Forestry and Fisheries. Satellite event on the occasion of the Ninth 
Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and 
Agriculture. Rome, 12-13 October 2002. Inter-Departmental Working Group on 
Biological Diversity for Food and Agriculture. Rome

1. Introduction
Since time immemorial, people have gathered plant and animal resources for 
their needs. Examples include edible nuts, mushrooms, fruits, herbs, 
spices, gums, game, fodder, fibres used for construction of shelter and 
housing, clothing or utensils, and plant or animal products for medicinal, 
cosmetic or cultural uses. Even today, hundreds of millions of people, 
mostly in developing countries, derive a significant part of their 
subsistence needs and income from gathered plant and animal products 
(Iqbal 1993; Walter 2001). Gathering of high value products such as 
mushrooms (morels, matsutake, truffles), medicinal plants (ginseng, black 
cohosh, goldenseal) also continues in developed countries for cultural and 
economic reasons (Joneset al.2002).
Among these uses, medicinal plants play a central role, not only as 
traditional medicines used in many cultures, but also als trade 
commodities which meet the demand of often distant markets. For the 
purpose of this paper the term "medicinal and aromatic plant" (MAP) is 
defined to cover the whole range of plants used not only medicinallysensu 
strictubut also in the neighbouring and often overlapping fields of 
condiments, food and cosmetics.
Demand for a wide variety of wild species is increasing with growth in 
human needs, numbers and commercial trade. With the increased realization 
that some wild species are being over-exploited, a number of agencies are 
recommending that wild species be brought into cultivation systems (BAH 
2002; Lambertet al.1997; WHO, IUCN and WWF 1993). Cultivation can also 
have conservation impacts, however, and these need to be better 
understood. Medicinal plant production through cultivation, for example, 
can reduce the extent to which wild populations are harvested, but it also 
may lead to environmental degradation and loss of genetic diversity as 
well as loss of incentives to conserve wild populations (Anon. 2002b).
The relationship betweenin-situandex-situconservation of species is an 
interesting topic with implications for local communities, public and 
private land owners and managers, entire industries and, of course, wild 
species. Identifying the conservation benefits and costs of the different 
production systems for MAP should help guide policies as to whether 
species conservation should take place in nature or the nursery, or both 
(Bodekeret al.1997).
In this paper, we review global trends in the close relationship between 
cultivation and wild harvest of MAP species, then make recommendations on 
steps that should be taken to achieve a balance between consumption, 
conservation and cultivation.

Full story:     http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/aa010e/AA010e00.HTM

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abstract 3

Edible Products
By  The Center for Forest Products Marketing and Management, Virginia 
Polytechnic Institute and State University, and The Southern Research 
Station, USDA Forest Service (last modified 2009)

Edible products include mushrooms, seeds, nuts, fruits & berries, 
wildlife, greens and roots. (Not all products are covered here)  Wholesale 
or commercial wild collection of most of these products would not provide 
enough volume to make market sale possible and profitable and would 
deplete and likely endanger the resource for both local human use and for 
wildlife. Many species are now cultivated and more could be cultivated and 
marketed. 

Full story:     http://www.sfp.forprod.vt.edu/prodarea/edible.htm
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