Malta : development of medicinal plants and herbs

Abstract

The Government of Malta through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the Industrial Development Unit (IDU) of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC) to provide technical assistance for the purpose of exploring the possibilities of setting up a pharmaceutical industry in Malta based on medicinal plants and herbs. The field work for the project was implemented by a team of experts assigned by IDU. The practical skills of the experts included phytochemistry and computer database technology. Field collections of medicinal plants and herbs were made at various locations mapped out in association with the Maltese authorities. Each plant/herb was video-graphed using a video camera with commentary on its local name, description, geographical location and its distribution and details were entered on a database and details were entered on a database named MALTAMAP. Simultaneously, training of local personnel was carried out in curing, processing, and storage techniques. Arrangements were also made for training pharmacognosy techniques at appropriate institutions and an exposure visit of personnel from the University of Malta was made to leading scientific institutions in India.