Aromatic plants: crop of interest to fix population in rural areas

2023-08-17 00:29:36

Research on aromatic plants contributes to turning them into a crop of interest to fix population in rural areas, especially in arid areas by nature, so that, through research, a future of great interest is opened up for the cultivation of aromatic plants, which the Government of Murcia is betting on as a measure to generate employment and fix population in rural areas. These crops are mainly concentrated in the North-West region of the Murcian Region.

Antonio Luengo, Acting Minister of Agriculture, has explained that, in the first case, the greater tolerance to drought and the accumulation of nutrients “will allow to increase the profitability and competitiveness of primary producers in the rural environment”, and, in the second, the incorporation of bioactives from aromatic-medicinal plants in the animal diet “will act to improve their health and allow the reduction of the use of antibiotics in livestock”.

Study of the Imida

In addition, in 2020, an Imida study determined the high content of Omega-3 fatty acids in the seeds of aromatic plants grown in the Region. The results showed that sajolida and lavender seeds show yields in production that exceed those obtained in chia seeds or in seed oil. “This discovery implies being able to expand its application to the food industry,” the acting councilor stressed.

Last year around 60 tons of essential oils from different plants were produced. Specifically, the most abundant crops are red thyme, Spanish sage, lavender and lavender. Rosemary, marjoram and oregano are also present in regional crops, but to a lesser extent.