Industrialization, commercialization and branding of medicinal plants, focusing on citrus value chain

Global changes in agro- processing industries have created new opportunities and challenges, especially in processing of medicinal plants by emphases on citrus value chain. Because, Agro-processing industries generate value addition by the transformation of citrus raw materials, into various products such as pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and hygienic Products, which are readily marketable, with improved storability and higher profitability for producers and customers. This trend, as an effective strategy, requires industrialization, commercialization and branding .The skin, seeds and blooms of citrus flowers are of great importance. Citrus value chain as an agro-industrial system can be considered as a model, which illustrates the consumption, marketing, processing and production of citrus raw materials; within the boundaries of the particular socio-economic, administrative, political and financial framework. The proper management of the citrus value chain is an undeniable necessity, because of using dried citrus peel scum as a rich source of sugar, pectin and protein, producing oil from citrus seeds, having high potential for the production of various essential oils, and the possibility of producing non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, health and pharmaceuticals products. Citrus value chains’ market-based agricultural advisory services, provides the necessary platform for providing the required knowledge for input suppliers, citrus producers, buyers, transporters, processers, distributors and consumers .By increasing their scientific and skill potential, value chain activists can play an effective role in increasing market access and better understand the benefits of industrialization, commercialization and branding in order to supply various citrus products. Market-based support services as well as facilitating skills to explore and test new technologies and processes should be provided in order to strengthen capacity and improve citrus value chain efficiency, in the form of training and consulting on technical and economic topics.

کلیدواژه ها:

Medicinal plants ، Citrus ، Value chain ، Industrialization ، Commercialization ، Branding.