Information System for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Value Chain: Case Study of Albania

Abstract

Background: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) are part of a few products that Albania exports in World’s level. The results showed us that the available MAPs value chain information in Albania through several cases is limited and doesn’t match with reality. Objectives: Our research aims to verify the actual situation of the information system between the actors of the MAPs value chain in Albania. Methods/Approach: In this research is used the systemic method, which takes into consideration the analysis through all the main value chain links. For each value of the chain links has been selected a statistical representation number or a sample. Results: The actors that operate through the MAPs market in Albania are in front of the asymmetric information. The sources and the methods used are not on the proper level to offer the real results in this value chain. There are many information system sources for the Albanian MAPs sector, but none of them offers any detailed data about the quantity and the value on plant’s level. Conclusions: The information system of the MAPs value chain is not functional through all the links, while the fabrication still remains on limited levels. The creation of a monitoring system database in time and space for the entire MAPs sector is a necessity.

Keywords

• medicinal and aromatic plants
• market
• asymmetric information
• value chain
• information system sources