The market for medicinal plants in Russia continues to develop, and its volume is gradually increasing.
Blackberries and cloudberries in a closed module grown by a virtual agronomist
According to reports, the volume of the medicinal herb market is billions of rubles, and the income from the sale of medicinal herbs is growing by several percent every year, let's see why and how it works.
One of the main problems is the difficulty of collecting herbs. This is due to insufficient public awareness of the methods of collecting and protecting plants, as well as illegal collection in nature reserves and protected areas.
Mint in a vertical module grown by a virtual agronomist
The volume of potential procurement of wild food and medicinal plants is estimated at about 8.5 million tons per year. However, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, only 6% of this volume is used. The market for collecting medicinal plants and wild plants has complex legislative regulation. This activity is controlled by the rules of procurement and collection, and the amount of collected material is limited by both nature and legislation.
It has been established that one person can harvest no more than 100 kg of one type of wild plants per season. And harvesting of flowers and leaves of all above-ground parts of the plant is carried out only in dry and clear weather, but the roots can be collected in rainy wet weather, but who wants to dig the earth in the rain?
In addition, when harvesting the underground part, it is necessary to leave several viable specimens for plant restoration and reproduction, and for industrial harvesting of raw materials, it is necessary to have data on its operational reserve, that is, the part of the biological reserve that can be extracted from a certain area without damaging the restoration and reproduction process.
The operational reserve of raw materials depends on the type of plant and can be 50% of the biological reserve for generative organs and above-ground phytomass of annuals, and no more than 25% for underground phytomass and above-ground phytomass of perennials.
For medicinal and food plants, whose raw materials are vegetative organs, the possible volume of collection is determined by the rate of restoration of the raw phytomass. This period can vary depending on the type of grass from 1 year to 8 years.
Imagine the benefit of such a business, where, for example, procurement is possible once every 8 years! This is where the "unlimited market of medicinal plants with limited capabilities" comes from.
Moreover, this is also a risky business. Illegal extraction, collection, acquisition, storage and sale of endangered plants has led to a sharp reduction in the area and volume of growth.
And violators face punishment in the form of compulsory labor for up to 480 hours, or up to two years of correctional labor or imprisonment for up to four years with a fine of up to one million rubles. For illegal acquisition or sale, forced labor for up to five years with a fine of 500 thousand to 1.5 million rubles is threatened. From October 12, 2023, criminal liability will be introduced for the illegal extraction, collection, acquisition, storage and sale of endangered plants and mushrooms. Punishment under the criminal article is applied for the first time and applies to persons who collect mushrooms, real ginseng and pink rhodiola in a number of regions.
Medicinal herbs are the basis of food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. However, a limited number of them are grown as a commodity in the country. The main part of the domestic segment of the
market is cultivated plants. 200-300 species of medicinal plants are cultivated in botanical gardens, but most of them are grown to preserve collections, and not for medicinal purposes. There are many nuances in medicinal plant growing, for example, not all plants are suitable as high-quality raw materials and contain the necessary set of vitamins and enzymes.
For example, nettle is rich in vitamin P, in order for nettle to be enriched with this vitamin, it is necessary to create conditions for the accumulation of this particular vitamin and increase it during the growing process, due to the increase in warm dry days in the summer, which is impossible in field conditions.
Every year is different and the composition of the plant, the presence of the necessary elements and the volume of collection of the necessary resource are always a risk for serial production.
The risk zone includes both the volume and quality of raw materials, and the impossibility of harvesting them due to weather conditions. In a rainy summer, the risk of missing the harvest period increases. For example, the flowering period of some plants lasts from 5 to 20 days a year, and if there is no harvest year or bad weather, then you can be left without raw materials at all.
Also in the risk zone are time restrictions. For example, the flowering period of some plants lasts from 5 to 20 days a year, and if there is no harvest year or bad weather, then you can be left without raw materials at all. And production downtime in the winter.
Also a pressing problem is reducing the cost of raw materials due to their quality.
Let's consider the example of mint:
The leaves and inflorescences contain essential oil (1.5-3.5% of dry weight). Mint essential oil contains mainly menthol: in M. pepper 40-65%, in M. arvense 75-90%.
In nature, mint is damaged by diseases and insects, loses its oil composition in cold summers and during periods of heavy rain. At high humidity, it is affected by powdery mildew, which makes collection impossible.
Of course, we would like to get the maximum amount of the required component with a minimum collection of raw materials. Feel the difference: collect 1 ton of raw materials and produce 90% menthol from it or collect 10 tons of mint and produce the same 90% menthol, or even less. At the same time, keeping mint in a greenhouse or growing it hydroponically will also not guarantee the quality of the raw materials.
Rosemary, mint and raspberries grown by a virtual agronomist
Also an important aspect is the collection and drying of medicinal plants, for example, field chamomile, if it is collected incorrectly or transplanted to your site, it will most likely lose its properties. For example, in a hydroponic rack, watery mint with poor drying characteristics grows, this is a high risk of rotting, this is a loss of crops at the stage of raw material preparation up to 30% and the menthol content will be 40% lower only due to the fact that the roots are always in water, which is not typical for this plant in nature. Father-in-law, with year-round cultivation on hydroponics, we will never get even 60% menthol.
Growing crops such as saffron, ginseng, rose root requires enormous labor costs, which does not guarantee their growth, the content of useful properties in plants and their suitability for medicinal purposes.
To overcome problems and preserve rare plant species, there is a need to find additional solutions and methods.
The development of the AI field allows its application in various fields, including agriculture. And in plant growing, it has proven to be an indispensable component in the field of medicinal plants.
Modern technical developments in the field of vertical farming Greenbar will allow you to grow any plants in an artificial environment identical to the natural one. This can become a new promising direction for agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry and unite participants in both industries.
Growing in an artificial (ideal) environment using the "Virtual Agronomist" program will increase the necessary properties and produce high-quality assembly of finished raw materials by increasing the beneficial properties by managing the life of the plant at all stages of cultivation.
The Virtual Agronomist software analyzes the plant and sets the parameters necessary for adjusting and changing the optimal temperature, lighting modes, creating a suitable microclimate, plant nutrition and disease prevention based on the data obtained.
The company producing equipment for progressive plant growing Greenbar is engaged in managing the chemical composition of plants due to external growing conditions, thus stimulating the accumulation and generation of nutrients in increased volumes, ingredients necessary for pharmaceuticals, which is fundamentally different from existing technologies of traditional hydroponic farms for growing salads.
It is important to consider that 80% of plants are dry-loving and cannot grow when their roots are constantly in an aquatic environment.
In hydroponics, for example, the emphasis is on the intensive growth of leaf mass of greens. In such conditions, plants are not able to reproduce the full volume of vitamins, oils and a number of components of micro and macroelements necessary for humans or for the production of drugs.
Therefore, a completely different approach is required to grow medicinal plants in an artificial environment, which is possible, for example, in closed automated Greenbar modules. The closed space is more precisely controlled for humidity and temperature conditions and is provided through a set of sensors for the vital activity of plants. The Greenbar complex imitates a number of natural phenomena, such as wind, decreasing daylight hours, and temperature changes from positive to negative. This is important for many plants, as it is at the moment of temperature changes or changes in the spectrum of phyto light that plants begin to produce the necessary elements.
Such a technological approach turns the risky process of plant growing into precise and predictable production, increasing the stable income received from the sale of raw materials.
This is an opportunity to obtain raw materials year-round, minimizing procurement costs and risks associated with seasonality.
A systematic approach to laboratory control studies allows you to regulate and evaluate production parameters and the chemical composition of plants using artificial intelligence through the Virtual Agronomist software supports the main parameters:
- Computer vision system management to continuously monitor and analyze the condition of plants in real time. This allows you to identify potential problems and provide timely adjustments to prevent them.
- Intelligent decision support system that analyzes data received from sensors and systems and offers optimal solutions for various factors such as irrigation, fertilization, lighting and general environmental management.
- Optimal plant cultivation provides optimal conditions for plant growth and development. It can control factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting and CO2 levels to provide the best growing environment.
- Reduced costs and increased productivity, due to optimization and accurate feeding. In addition, it contributes to increased yield and product quality due to its ability to provide optimal conditions for plants.
Plant content data graph in the Virtual Agronomist software.
By collecting data for the optimal growth of each specific plant, the "Virtual Agronomist" can create ideal conditions, for example, to grow saffron according to the highest quality standard or increase the content of essential oils using smart temperature and lighting control, as well as maintaining the correct dosed nutrition by simulating the native climatic conditions of this plant.
AI collects data for each plant from the natural environment, climate, soil composition, daylight data and years when the yield was most successful. Based on this data, it creates conditions under which the grown raw materials can accumulate or reproduce the necessary medicinal components in the maximum volume.
Combining video recording data with the correct process map, parameters are set for commercial cultivation of crops without errors.
In the event of emergency or abnormal situations, the system will be able to independently conduct an analysis and replace the technical map, launching the system into operation according to the necessary algorithms. Distribution of plants:
• by species,
• by growth stages,
• by presence/absence of pathologies/diseases/pests,
• by leaf/flower/berry quality,
• by growth stage compliance with specified growing time parameters and visual quality;
Then the photo materials are synchronized with technological maps of climate, lighting, power supply, sensor data and the required final result: leaf growth as in the case of mint cultivation, root growth as in the case of ginseng or mandrake) flowering activation as in the case of chamomile or saffron, etc.
Flowers of medicinal plants in the vertical module Greenbar
For most plants, the "dry" method of cultivation is used. Where plants are rarely given a wet composition, as in the natural environment.
Let's consider variations in growing a common common plant Lamium in a closed Greenbar system.
An inconspicuous roadside plant is a precious medicinal raw material. Its spicy sweet flowers are mainly used in medicine. They are difficult to collect, and they have a small weight. It blooms for 20 days at the end of June. A decoction of these flowers is used to treat female diseases and gastrointestinal diseases, including dysentery. Due to its ability to liquefy sputum, an infusion of flowers helps with bronchitis, asthma and other diseases of the respiratory system. It is also widely used as a means to stop bleeding in pulmonary, intestinal and uterine bleeding. The deadnettle is considered useful for anemia and is used as a "blood purifier" for scrofula, furunculosis, skin ulcers and rashes. It is especially effective in helping children with diathesis. An infusion of deadnettle flowers is also effective for gargling with sore throats.
Deadnettle plays an important role in dietary nutrition. Young leaves and shoots are actively used in Russian cuisine. The taste of the stems and leaves of the deadnettle has a specific spicy taste and resembles spinach. It is good to add to green cocktails and smoothies.
The juice of the deadnettle is used to make a fragrant dough for buns, and a nutritious filling is made from the green mass. The herb can also be stewed, boiled and used in salads. Deadnettle leaves are also used in various dishes and snacks. Deadnettle goes well with lemon, ginger, goes well with meat dishes, is part of sauces, paste and puree. Deadnettle is added to soups, omelettes, side dishes, stewed with mushrooms and onions. The benefits and variations of use are unique and varied, but you can’t buy it in a store.
In nature, it is painstaking to collect it and not in every place along the road it can be collected for consumption.
So an alternative solution is certainly an artificial environment. The photo shows how deadnettle blooms in a closed Greenbar module.
Flowers of the medicinal herb Lamium in a vertical Greenbar module
Since the plant clumps and grows through plots, cuttings or layering, traditional salad pots are not suitable for it. Lamium spreads like a carpet over the entire area, only the edges of the container can limit it. To accumulate sweet nectar, it is necessary to stimulate the earliest ovaries of flowers, so a long day, phyto lighting for flowering and ultraviolet irradiation are used for it. Lamium is not capricious in terms of nutrition, but it likes "fatter and thicker", then it grows fleshy and soft. The root system does not need a lot of water, but constant moisture is needed. Lamium grows at different temperatures, but when lowered, it becomes denser and coarser, such sprouts are more suitable for collecting green mass for drying, but with increased light and heat, it will give larger and more fragrant flowers. Man cannot control all these subtleties. But the program and automation are easy!
Having planted once and set up the program, it is necessary to collect flowers and greens in comfortable, almost home-like conditions and receive income and pleasure from this.
Tracking growing parameters in software
So the use of artificial intelligence and a virtual agronomist helps not only to increase the useful components in medicinal plants, but also to expand the possibilities of their consumption.