The goods
produced in the agricultural sector of the Aboca Company offer the
following guarantees:
- Presence and levels of active ingredients in all raw materials
are checked;
- Homogeneity and standardization of plants harvested for processing;
- Absence of pesticides and other pollutant residues in accordance
with current legislation governing organic farming (Reg. CEE 2092/91).
The
company's organic farms cover approximately 600 hectares, some of which
are owned and some leased, throughout different areas of Tuscan and
Umbrian Valtiberina. The largest farmed area is a flat region (200
m.s.l.m. around) in which species that thrive in such conditions are
cultivated and where the role of agricultural mechanization is key.
This is the typical environment for chamomile, mallow, echinacea,
flax, lemon balm, passion flower and others. In the hilly environs
of Tosco-Romagna (from 400 to 750 m.s.l.m.) we have perennials such
as grindelia, nettle, spiraea, rosemary, sage, thyme and ligneous species
such as hawthorn, ash, witch hazel and others.
Approximately 60 species of medicinal herbs are cultivated on our lands, while
another 20 species are wildcrafted by our employees.
The agricultural phase begins with the selection of seeds and starters with
a view to their propagation and multiplication. If necessary, this can take
place in specially created protected environments.
Then follows working the fields, transplanting or direct seeding, fertilizing,
irrigation, the control of insects and pathogens, harvesting and cleaning.
The bulk of the harvesting is done with the use of specific machines, while
a small portion is harvested by hand. After the harvest, the fresh product
is sent to a climate-controlled setting during the drying phase. This is carried
out with special equipment that dehydrates the product and locks in the active
ingredients at the time of harvest. In compliance with the regulations of organic
production, much attention is given to the controll of insects-mechanically
and manually-to organic and mineral fertilization, to the rotation of crops,
and to maintaining the fertility of the soil.
Organic farming methods are regulated by the Consortium for the Control of
Organic Products, authorized (www.ccpb.it)
by regulation CEE 2092/91 for the control and certification of Organic Farming
companies.
The method of organic agricultural production is characterized by the validation,
through this same certifying body operating in compliance with the norms set
out by the European Regulation, of all phases of operation involved in the
production of agricultural products cultivated without the use of synthetic
chemical substances or pesticides.
Finally, a Quality Control Process guarantees the quality of the finished product
by checking and certifying all steps of production. A fundamental agronomic goal is to obtain highly therapeutic medicinal
herbs through the selection of specific varieties with the greatest
content of active ingredients.
Following the selection of genetically interesting varieties, the department
of Research and Development studies the chemical properties of the varieties
in question and thoroughly researches their various possible medicinal applications.
The entire agricultural sector follows the norms of GAP (good agricultural
practice), which allows for a clearer designation of the raw material. The
guarantee of product quality is also provided by certificates of analysis with
which all the specific data and properties of a predetermined species of medicinal
herb are communicated. |