A Good Agricultural Practice of medicinal plants is a cultivation program designed to ensure optimal yield in terms of both the quality and quantity of any crop intended for health purposes.

1. Quality Control & Standardization Of
Herbals
Good Agriculture Practice (GAP)
By
Kaushal Kumar

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 02 03 04
Introduction Objective Guidelines Explanation

3. A Good Agricultural Practice of medicinal plants is a
cultivation program designed to ensure optimal yield in
terms of both the quality and quantity of any crop
intended for health purposes.
The guidelines on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
provide us the documented proof on how to handle
medicinal plants right from its cultivation to post-
harvesting operations.
Raw medicinal plant materials should meet all
applicable national or regional quality standards.
INTRODUCTION

4. →To raise the income level in rural areas.
→ To provide sufficient inputs to agro-processing industries.
→ to improve the quality, safety and efficacy of finished herbal products.
→ To guide the formulation of national or regional guidelines and monographs for
medicinal plants and related standard operating procedures (SOPs).
→ To encourage and support the sustainable cultivation and collection of medicinal
plants.
Objective Of cGAP

5. ► Selection Of Medicinal Plants
► Identification/authentication of cultivated medicinal plants
► Specimens ► Seeds & other propagating materials
► Cultivation ► Site Selection
► Ecological environment & social impact
► Climate ► Irrigation & Drainage
► Plant Maintenance & Protection
► Harvesting & drying ► Storage
► Personnel ► Soil
Guidelines On GAP

6. ► Selection Of Medicinal Plants
In the case of newly introduced medicinal plants, the species or botanical variety
selected for cultivation should be identified and documented as the source
material used or described in the traditional medicine of the original country.
► Identification/authentication of cultivated medicinal plants
The botanical identity scientific name (genus, species, subspecies/variety, author
and family) of each medicinal plant under cultivation should be verified and
recorded.
Guidelines On GAP

7. ► Specimens
In case of the first registration of a medicinal plant or where reasonable doubt exists
as to the identity of a botanical species, a voucher botanical WHO guidelines on good
agricultural and collection practices (GACP) for medicinal plants specimen should be
submitted to a regional or national herbarium for identification.
► Seeds & other propagating materials
Seeds and other propagating materials should be specified and the suppliers should
provide all necessary information relating to the identity, quality and performance of
their products, as well as their breeding history. The propagating or planting materials
should be of the appropriate quality and free from contamination and diseases to
promote healthy plant growth.
Guidelines On GAP

8. ► Cultivation
The cultivation of medicinal plants requires intensive care and management. The
conditions and duration of cultivation required differ depending on the quality of
medicinal plant materials.
► Site Selection
Medicinal plant materials derived from the same species can show significant
differences in quality when cultivated at different sites, due to the influence of sail,
climate and other factors.
► Ecological environment & social impact
The ecological impact on cultivation should be monitored over time. The social impact
of cultivation on local communities should be examined to ensure that negative
impacts on local livelihood are avoided.
Guidelines On GAP

9. ► Climate
Climatic conditions like the length of day, rainfall (water supply) and field temperature
significantly influence the physical, chemical and biological qualities of medicinal
plants.
► Soil
Optimal soil condition includes soil type, drainage, moisture retention, fertility and pH.
The use of fertilizers is vital in order to obtain large yields of medicinal plants. Human
excreta must not be used as a fertilizer due to the presence of infectious micro-
organisms or parasites.
► Irrigation & Drainage
Irrigation and drainage should be controlled and carried out per the needs of the
individual medicinal plant species during its various stages of growth. Water used for
irrigation purposes should comply with local, regional and national quality standards.
Guidelines On GAP

10. ► Plant Maintenance & Protection
The growth and development of individual medicinal plants, as well as the plant
parts intended for medicinal use, should be taken more care and maintained.
Agrochemicals used to protect medicinal plants should be kept to a minimum and
applied only when no alternative measures are available.
► Harvesting & drying
During harvest, care should be taken to ensure that no foreign matter, weeds or
toxic plants are mixed with the harvested medicinal plant materials. Medicinal
plants should be harvested under the best possible conditions, avoiding dew, rain
or high humidity.
Guidelines On GAP

11. ► Storage
Fresh medicinal plants should be stored at low temperatures, ideally, at 2-8°C,
frozen products should be stored at less than -20°C .
► Personnel
All personnel (including field workers) involved in the propagation, cultivation,
harvest and post-harvest processing stages of medicinal plant production should
maintain appropriate personal hygiene and should have received training
regarding their hygiene responsibilities.
Guidelines On GAP

12. THANKS!
Do you have any questions?
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+91 9546688666