Yao, R;
Heinrich, M;
Wang, Z;
Weckerle, CS;
(2018)
Quality control of goji (fruits of Lycium barbarum L. and L. chinense Mill.): A value chain analysis perspective.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
, 224
pp. 349-358.
10.1016/j.jep.2018.06.010.
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Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Goji (fruits of Lycium barbarum L. and L. chinense Mill., Solanaceae) have been used as a traditional food and medicine for hundreds of years in Asian countries and are now consumed globally. Quality of herbal medicines is critical for safe use and has been shown to be affected by value chains. / Aim of the study: Using a value chain (VC) framework, we aim at understanding the influence of different VC types on goji quality and revenue of stakeholders. / Materials and methods: Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted during five months of fieldwork in the main production areas in China with a total of 65 stakeholders. Quality of goji, behaviour and financial performance of stakeholders was documented and analysed for different VCs. / Results: Ten different types of VCs were identified. VCs with vertical integration and horizontal collaboration were found to have a more coherent quality control and better goji quality as well as improved stakeholders’ financial performance. Vertical integration at different levels was found for independent farmer-based VCs, horizontal collaboration was found in the cooperative-based VCs. Full vertically integrated VCs were found in large-scale production. / Conclusions: Goji quality and stakeholders’ revenues are linked with different types of VCs which mirror stakeholders’ behaviour driven by target markets. Considering their positive influence on quality and revenues, well-developed vertically integrated value chains are likely to become more important in the near future.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Quality control of goji (fruits of Lycium barbarum L. and L. chinense Mill.): A value chain analysis perspective |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jep.2018.06.010 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.06.010 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Lycium, Goji, Value chain, Financial performance, Stakeholders, Quality control, Traceability, Herbal medicine product |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy > Pharma and Bio Chemistry |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10050544 |
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