Development of a Pilot System of Standards and Quality Label for Adhering to Best Practices in Harvesting, Cultivation, Processing, Standardization, and Packaging of Mountain Tea (Sideritis sp.) and Sage (Salvia sp.)

January 2023 - December 2025

OFAF

https://ofaf.maich.gr/

The project aims to protect ecosystems hosting natural populations of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) in Greece and highlight the unique qualities of products made from mountain tea (Sideritis sp.), Cretan mountain tea (Sideritis syriaca subsp. syriaca), and sage (Salvia fruticosa), emphasizing their authenticity.  Ecosystem pressures have led to new threats, such as degradation of natural populations, loss of wild plant genetic material, and hybridization risks. The project addresses these issues by developing and piloting best practice guidelines to preserve natural populations and enhance the economic performance of MAP producers by facilitating the production of high-quality, authentic MAP products that gain market and consumer trust. This project will pilot a set of best and sustainable practices throughout the MAP product value chain. The project is coordinated by MAICh while it is implemented in collaboration with agribusiness firms involved in the sector.

Funding programme: Agricultural European Innovation Partnership/EIP AGRI and Rural Development Programme of Greece 2014-2020, Measure 16: Cooperation.