Articles
CULTIVATION OF GINKGO BILOBA L. ON THREE CONTINENTS
Article number
676_23
Pages
177 – 180
Language
English
Abstract
Pharmaceutical products for the treatment of dementia based on Ginkgo biloba L. leaves represent the core business of the Dr.
Willmar Schwabe group of pharmaceutical companies.
Together with the French partner Beaufour IPSEN, the group established ginkgo plantations in the US, France and China to secure a constant supply of high quality raw material.
Ginkgo thrives in subtropical climates on acid, sandy and well-drained soils.
The plants are cultivated in rows and are kept weed free throughout the year.
During the winter plants are cut back and sub-soiling is done in the inter-rows.
Depending on local climatic conditions, green Gingko leaves are harvested in July (US), August (China) or September/October (France). Leaves are stripped off the plants manually (China) or mechanically using modified cotton pickers (US and France). In a dehydration plant, fresh leaves are dried in industrial propane heated drum dryers and packed into bales.
Quality management is secured by applying Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) regulations all along the production process.
Plantations in France and the US are fully owned and managed by Dr.
Willmar Schwabe and Beaufour IPSEN partner companies.
Initial fields were established 22 years ago and are still producing high quality raw material inspite of being stripped of leaves and cut back on a yearly basis.
Two Chinese ginkgo companies were set up in the mid 90s as joint ventures with the Government of China where ginkgo leaves are produced by thousands of small-scale farmers.
These joint venture companies are responsible for buying, drying, packaging and shipping of all goods.
The companies are running successfully and the partners involved are gaining valuable cross-cultural experience.
Willmar Schwabe group of pharmaceutical companies.
Together with the French partner Beaufour IPSEN, the group established ginkgo plantations in the US, France and China to secure a constant supply of high quality raw material.
Ginkgo thrives in subtropical climates on acid, sandy and well-drained soils.
The plants are cultivated in rows and are kept weed free throughout the year.
During the winter plants are cut back and sub-soiling is done in the inter-rows.
Depending on local climatic conditions, green Gingko leaves are harvested in July (US), August (China) or September/October (France). Leaves are stripped off the plants manually (China) or mechanically using modified cotton pickers (US and France). In a dehydration plant, fresh leaves are dried in industrial propane heated drum dryers and packed into bales.
Quality management is secured by applying Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) regulations all along the production process.
Plantations in France and the US are fully owned and managed by Dr.
Willmar Schwabe and Beaufour IPSEN partner companies.
Initial fields were established 22 years ago and are still producing high quality raw material inspite of being stripped of leaves and cut back on a yearly basis.
Two Chinese ginkgo companies were set up in the mid 90s as joint ventures with the Government of China where ginkgo leaves are produced by thousands of small-scale farmers.
These joint venture companies are responsible for buying, drying, packaging and shipping of all goods.
The companies are running successfully and the partners involved are gaining valuable cross-cultural experience.
Authors
W. Schmid, J.-P. Balz
Keywords
Ginkgo biloba L., cultivation, drying, Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)
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