Essential oils from Bioplante Madagascar. Just a few drops are enough to concentrate the properties of plants. Essential oils are increasingly attracting interest for their wellness-related uses. Relaxation, well-being and comfort are among the main sought-after uses of essential oils. Extracted from aromatic plants, they are notably used in aromatherapy to harness the natural properties of vegetation. Ginger, ravintsara, eucalyptus and other species each present their own characteristics. Their use must however be adapted to the properties of each oil. These oils are produced in the countryside of Antsirabe, Farafangana, Manakara and the South-East, which are among the areas where plants are processed. Each producer develops their specialty and their own methods. "Each producer has their own way of doing things and thus obtains a yield that is unique to them," explains Auguste Rajaofetra, manager-owner of Bioplante Madagascar. Low yield. Ginger illustrates this diversity. The quantity of raw material required can be considerable: up to 1,000 kg of ginger may sometimes be needed to obtain only 1 to 2 liters of essential oil. The yield depends notably on the raw material and the production method. This low quantity contributes to the value of the product. The price varies according to producers, quality and the process used, and can reach several million ariary per liter. Essential oils from organic farming can also be sold at a higher price than conventional products. Beyond their sought-after benefits for well-being, these oils allow local plants to be transformed into derivative products with higher added value. The participatory guarantee system also helps strengthen confidence around production practices. From plants cultivated in the countryside to finished products, essential oils thus give new value to local resources. A few drops concentrate at once expertise, raw material and economic potential. Fanilo Mampianintsoa