Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) produce secondary metabolites, including essential oils (MAPs/EOs). According to the Dutch CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Import from the developing countries), the demand for MAPs/EOs is continuously increasing. The forms and domain of utilization of MAPs/EOs is broad and manifold: they are used in foods & beverages, cosmetics & toiletries, aromatherapy, home and health care, and others. In addition to “pharma” applications and over–the – counter (OTC) medications, MAPs/EOs are the main ingredients in some pest-control products. They are used in the food industry because of their preservative potency against food – borne pathogens thanks to their antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Increasing consumer disposable incomes and rapid expansion of food & beverage industries are expected to contribute to the demand for natural fragrances & flavors produced using MAPs/EOs.
The added health benefits of MAPs/EOs are expected to further trigger their demand in pharmaceutical applications as well. Rising demand for aromatic cleaning agents and bio-based personal care products is expected to stimulate demand for home care and personal care products. Most of the exotic MAPs/EOs are produced from rare crops and plants around the world which are either difficult to harvest or are already overharvested endangered species in nature. Environment protection, restrictions on harvesting and cultivation of such trees & plants will probably further add to the raw material scarcity. Sourcing MAPs (by either collection or cultivation) is important for providing employments and fair income for women’s population in low income countries and can be regarded as an important contribution to livelihoods. The Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Academy for female Entrepreneurs in Africa project will help to build the capacities and improve the quality of VET providers in Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, South Africa and Mauritius) through innovative methods and digitization.
MAPs ACE project is a joint initiative of VET providers from EU countries (Hungary, Slovakia) to aimed at building the capacities with relevant partners from Africa (Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa) in order to provide a training and support path for female entrepreneurs in the field of cultivation, harvesting and processing of medicinal and aromatic plants. It will merge work-based learning at the Experimental fields in Africa with lectures and trainings: professional development and, entrepreneurship skills development will be linked with potential partnership in Europe (mobilities of Female entrepreneurs to EU) with a focus on innovation in VET, in the field of MAP cultivation, harvesting and processing with the involvement of digitisation (e-learning, online monitoring). Through a sustainable and environment friendly approach leading to the transition to conventional/traditional production, the project is expected to contribute to the implementation of climate mitigation goals.
