The value chain of traded products of medicinal plants in Tanzania: the emerging role of formulators

PurposeProducts of medicinal plants play significant roles in management of diseases. Their accessibility through trade plays a key role in health, economic and livelihood improvement. However, the traceability of the production process from their source in Tanzania is lacking. This study aims to de...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:African journal of economic and management studies 2022-02, Vol.13 (1), p.1-14
Main Authors: Mpelangwa, Eziacka Mathew, Makindara, Jeremia Ramos, Sørensen, Olav Jull, Bengesi, Kenneth Michael-Kitundu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIDS
Biodiversity
Domestic markets
Health services
Herbal medicine
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Literature reviews
Livelihood
Medicinal plants
Medicine
Milling
Packaging
Polls & surveys
Supply chains
Supporters
Technology
Traditional medicine
Urban areas
Value chain
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:PurposeProducts of medicinal plants play significant roles in management of diseases. Their accessibility through trade plays a key role in health, economic and livelihood improvement. However, the traceability of the production process from their source in Tanzania is lacking. This study aims to depicture the production process of formulated products of medicinal plants.Design/methodology/approachThe study applied the value chain theory using qualitative data from literature review and survey to practitioners of traditional medicine. Survey data were collected through 15 in-depth interviews and ten focus group discussions in five regions of Tanzania.FindingsInput to output structure is performed through a five actors' value chain. The raw material is provided by harvesters who collected medicinal plants from wild. The processing is conducted by wholesalers and formulators. The wholesalers add value by drying, milling and bulk packaging of individual medicinal plants. Formulators mix different medicinal plants to create readymade products for specified diseases. Distribution is done by retailers and healers. There were six regulating and two supporting organizations. Private supporters were millers and transporters. Governance structure was deduced to be relational. Relational governance was a result of lack official standards along the value chain.Originality/valueThe described value chain can be used to guide investments in production of products of medicinal plants by improving formulation technology.
ISSN:2040-0705
2040-0713
DOI:10.1108/AJEMS-06-2021-0287