Technological innovation at the service of the sector

Despite ancestral know-how and a diversified range of natural resources, the aromatic and medicinal plants sector remains under-exploited in our country, with a socio-economic impact that remains below its potential. In this context, the theme "Innovative research and moving industry, at the service of society and the economy in the field of aromatic and medicinal plants" was chosen for the second edition of the "Industrialists and Researchers" meeting, which took place on 29 November in Fès. Organised by the National Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (INPMA) of Taounate and the Innovation City of the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, within the framework of the Medinnoall "Mediterranean Innovation Alliance" project, funded by the European Union's Tempus programme, this meeting brought together industrialists, research professors, and cooperatives to debate technological methods capable of promoting the aromatic and medicinal plants sector in Morocco.

Mustapha Ismaili Alaoui, a professor at the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, indicated that Morocco was not investing enough in technology to value the aromatic and medicinal plants sector, contenting itself with its ancestral know-how. "It is necessary to review national development strategies for aromatic and medicinal plants (INDH, Green Morocco Plan, etc.) by basing them on new projects favouring technological research with the goal of satisfying the needs and demand of a national and international clientele that is increasingly demanding. It is also necessary to integrate technological actions at all levels of the exploitation of aromatic and medicinal plants, namely restructuring, training, harvesting, processing, and marketing," specified Professor Ismaili Alaoui. He added, "Technological innovations in the field of aromatic and medicinal plants involve the transfer and adaptation of regulations and scientific progress to reach quality standards. These innovations can notably be illustrated by modern extraction technology, recognition of natural products, labelling of local products, in addition to functionalisation technology." Other interventions focused, among other things, on free-to-use patents in aromatic and medicinal plants, private and public investment in research and development for aromatic and medicinal plants, as well as industry-research partnerships for better innovation.

Provider / Source : MAP, Le Matin