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Chinese Herbal Medicine Farming Project

Herbal medicines have been used in Asian countries for thousands of years. In China the herbal industry is enormous, with hundreds of plant species used in medicines, cosmetics, condiments and food.

The market for herbal medicines is growing steadily around the world, with demand for more products and higher production standards. This demand creates an opportunity for a new industry in the City of Whittlesea and was the catalyst for the Chinese Herbal Medicine Farming Project.

Background to the Project

In 2003 a partnership between City of Whittlesea, RMIT University (RMIT), Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT), and the Whittlesea Branch of the Victorian Farmer’s Federation (VFF) commenced to work with local farmers to develop a Chinese herb production industry.

The principal aim is to determine which Chinese herbs can be grown viably in Victoria and to produce good quality authenticated Chinese herbs to supply the domestic market with a view to developing an export market into the future.

A wide range of plants used in Chinese herbal medicine was collected and tested for suitability for growing under local conditions. Around 50 species were grown in experimental plots and around 20 were tested on local farms. As a result of the preliminary trials, a short list of 10 to 15 species was developed for further research. Seed, leaf, root and other plant samples have been harvested and tested at RMIT and NMIT.

Objectives

• To explore the feasibility of growing Chinese herbs within the City of Whittlesea region and in other areas of Victoria.
• To provide new opportunities for farmers in the City of Whittlesea.
• To produce high quality herbs which have been authenticated and tested for quality.
• To develop new products for both the herbal medicine and health food markets.
• To investigate models for the commercialisation of these new products.

Achievements to date

• Over 200 species have been examined as possible crops.
• Over 20 species have been grown in the field and tested for quality.
• The quality of the harvested local grown herbs has been high.
• Data on local field production has been collected and analysed.
• Harvests have been produced for four species so far – some over two seasons.
• Herbs have been sold dried as medicine to local herbalists and fresh as health food.
• A short list of herbs suitable for broader scale production and commercialisation has been identified.

List of Herbs Agastache rugosa Artemesia annua Schizonepeta tenuifolia Salvia miltiorrhiza Astragalus Membranaceous Dioscorea batatas Lycium barbarum

Stages in the Project Gathering Information and live plant samples Experimental growing of herb samples Selection of candidate species Experimental field production Testing of herbs Trial marketing of herbal products Trial value adding Market development & commercialisation

This is a joint project between the Victorian Government, City of Whittlesea and RMIT.

Please contact the Economic Development Department:

T: 9217 2278
F: 9409 9808
E: chineseherbs@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

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