Pharmacognosy Department Farm

Historical Background

In 1962, following the establishment of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University allocated a plot of land measuring two feddans near the main entrance of the university (from Al-Teraa Street), behind the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Science. This land was designated for the Pharmacognosy Department farm to cultivate medicinal and aromatic plants used in teaching students across different academic stages, as well as in research conducted by faculty members and their assistants. The farm was supervised by the successive heads of the Department of Pharmacognosy.

In 1986, the university allocated another two-feddan area as a replacement for the previous farm after sports fields for the Faculty of Physical Education were established on the original site. The new farm is located in the seventh enclosure of the Faculty of Agriculture's farms. It is bordered to the north by the university fence, to the south by the road separating the Faculty of Agriculture farms and the water pump station, to the west by a road leading to the incinerator, and to the east by the Plant Pathology Department farm.

In 1993, an additional half feddan was added to the eastern side of the farm (Plant Pathology Department farm), and a greenhouse was established there to grow plants that are sensitive to climate changes or require special environmental conditions.

Importance and Role of the Farm

The Pharmacognosy Department farm plays a crucial role in supporting the educational process of pharmacognosy. Medicinal plants cultivated in the farm are used for research and student training. Samples of these plants are sent to the department’s laboratories, where students identify and study them practically, learn about their various parts that contain active constituents, understand drying methods, and analyze the plants to extract and identify their active chemical compounds and assess their therapeutic effects.

Currently, over 85 different medicinal plants with various therapeutic uses are grown in the farm.

Organizational Structure of the Farm

The farm is supervised by a committee consisting of:

1. Prof. Dr. Soad Abdel-Latief Hassan – Chairperson
2. Prof. Dr. Afaf Mohamed Abdel-Baqi – Member
3. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdeen Mohamed – Member
4. Dr. Louren Gamal Gabriel – Member
5. Dr. Hesham Mohamed Bahaa El-Din – Member
6. Eng. Mohamed Youssef Kamal – Member

Farm Staff

List of Medicinal Plants Grown in the Pharmacognosy Farm

(The full list includes 87 plant species)

Farm Product Sales

Some products from the farm are sold through the farm's dedicated outlet at the Faculty. Examples include: