Coopérative Valplantes / Bio Alp Tea
The Valplantes Co-operative with its 100 members has been producing ecologically grown herbs and medicinal plants in the Valais Alps for the last twenty years. The organisation works with powerful drying plant and supplies leading Swiss companies in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. In co-operation with a number of partners, Valplantes has put a herbal ice tea on the market called Bio Alp Tea.
Project executive
Valplantes Co-operative, a producer of ecologically grown herbs and medicinal plants in the Swiss Canton of Valais.
Participants
A hundred producers of herbs and medicinal plants, management, technical committee, employees of the co-operative, scientific and technical panel. Co-operation with external partners in agricultural research: Agroscope RAC Changins (ferns) and Médiplant. Other external partners: Office de vulgarisation agricole (dissemination of agricultural know-how), Valais College of Agronomy, Valais Dairy Union, Plantamont (umbrella for Swiss producers).
Objectives
The main objectives that led to the foundation of Valplantes are still valid today, namely: promoting the continuation of mountain farming based on respect for the environment, promoting diversity in terms of agricultural produce, income generation for full and part-time farmers, the fight against the rural exodus, upgrading the landscape and environment. With such problems as small acreages, steep slopes, limits to mechanised working and low yields, the Swiss mountain areas do not lend themselves to profitable farming based on the traditional cultivation of cereals or mixed farming with livestock and cereals. It therefore makes sense to promote new agricultural activities (organic farming) that make ecological use of the soil, contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and provide a reasonable income.
Activities
Measures already completed: establishment of a co-operative and the necessary legal structures in 1985, introduction of the cultivation of ecologically grown herbs and medicinal plants in Valais, creation of the administrative structures needed to co-ordinate production and provide producers with technical and administrative support, construction of two drying plants and continuous improvements to the plants, modifications and enhancements to the methods of cultivation, creation of a joint stock company (Provalplantes SA), identifying new markets for unprocessed plants and finished products, development of finished products with added value (Bio Alp Tea, herbal teas), development of new plants in collaboration with customers and research institutes, marketing ecologically grown herbs and medicinal plants and the finished products.
Results
After twenty years’ work it can be said that, in qualitative terms, the main goals have been achieved. Organic farming has been established and new sources of income generated in the agricultural sector. We produce an annual total of 100 tons of dried plants and are doing everything possible to further increase the yield. In 1996 Valplantes decided to extend its activities to include marketing finished products. The idea of producing a drink on a vegetable basis was implemented in co-operation with partners with experience in that sector, and Bio Alp Tea was successfully launched. Annual sales of the three types of Bio Alp Tea (Classic, Relax and Green) now stand at 1,500,000 litres and continue to grow. Today Bio Alp Tea is to be found on the shelves of most Swiss supermarkets. We are currently working on a number of attractive export projects and additions to our range of vegetable-based products.
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