ISSUE 41: SEPTEMBER 2018 www.itfnet.org
TFNet Newsfeed Archive
  
     
   
     
   
     
 

TFNet holds first conference on tropical fruit pests and diseases

The International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) organized the first International Conference on Tropical Fruit Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018) at the Le Meridien, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on 25-27 September 2018.

Bearing the theme “Sustainable Solutions for Tropical Fruit Pests and Diseases,” TROPED 2018 was co-organized with the Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), Department of Agriculture, Sabah, Malaysia (DOA Sabah), and Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). 

The inaugural event was attended by 106 participants from 14 countries.

 
               
   
               
 

TFNet holds its 7th General Assembly in Sabah, Malaysia

The 7th General Assembly (GA) of the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) was held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on 24 September 2018, a day before the TFNet-led International Conference on Tropical Fruit Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018).

  
               
   
             
     

Upcoming TFNet Events

  1. International Symposium on Tropical Fruits (ISTF 2019)
    Date: July 2019
    Venue: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  2. 13th Session of the TFNet Board of Trustees
    Date: July 2019
    Venue: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Other Events

  
       

IN PHOTOS: TROPED 2018 Field Trip

A field trip to various interesting spots in Sabah, Malaysia was conducted on 27 September 2018 for the participants of the International Conference on Tropical Fruit Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018).

 
             
       
           
 

TFNet thanks Dr. Hannah Jaenicke

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Hannah Jaenicke for serving as an expert member of the TFNet Board of Trustees from 2015-2018. 

    

Indonesia to host 2018 International Symposia on Horticulture

The 2018 International Symposia on Horticulture (ISH 2018) will be held in Bali, Indonesia on 27-30 November 2018, organized by the Indonesian Center for Horticulture Research and Development (ICHORD).

  
               
 
FEATURES
  
   
               
       
             
 

Talaad Thai – biggest wholesale market for agricultural products in South East Asia

Talaad Thai is the biggest wholesale market for agricultural products in Thailand. Built on an area totalling about 80 hectares, the collection and distribution centre is situated about 60 km north of capital Bangkok.

    

Sabah sets sight as major tropical fruit producer in the region

With the potential market of fruits in the region due to increase in incomes and expanding middle class, notably in China, Sabah is looking at the prospects of expanding its fruit growing areas especially for superior durian and pineapple cultivars.

  
               
 
NEWS FROM TFNet MEMBER COUNTRIES
 
   
               
VIETNAM: Binh Thuan dragonfruit promoted in India     AUSTRALIA: Mango peel could help clean up oil contamination, research finds
   
A promotional event was held in New Delhi, India to advertise dragonfruit from the south central province of Bình Thuận in an effort to expand ties between agricultural exporters from Vietnam and India.     Mango peel could be used to break down oil sludge, according to new research. University of South Australia researcher Biruck Desalegn Yirsaw has proven an extract of the fruit’s peel can be used to “synthesize” the material that can break down contaminated soil.
           
MALAYSIA: Shift from oil palm to tropical fruit industry     BANGLADESH: Guava storage needed to aid Jhalakhati farmers
   
Sabah’s native fruits such as tarap, bambangan, durian dalit or red-fleshed durian and many other wild fruit species have great market potential but remain economically untapped, said the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal.    

Guava growers in Jhalakathi are incurring losses because there are no storage arrangements for the tropical fruit.
           
NIGERIA: Government project to grow 20 million banana plants     PHILIPPINES: This prized Filipino fabric is made from pineapple leaves
   

The Federal Government lauched a project to grow 20 million banana plants, expected to last for 12 months.

     Filmy, cream-colored, and embroidered, piña cloth has been worn by a first lady and gifted to royalty. Museums across the world hold exquisite piña dresses in their collections—a legacy of a 19th-century fashion trend.
           
INDIA: Pineapples bring prosperity to Kerala town     FIJI: Plans to commercialize dragonfruit
   
Pineapple is one of the fruits being exported from Kerala by Vazhakulam to Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, to name a few Indian cities. Outside India, the company has developed and sustained a consistent market in the Gulf countries.     The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) recently organized a dragonfruit field day at their Sigatoka farm as part of its efforts to release a promising variety soon.
           
PHILIPPINES: Banana industry seeks greater market access in South Korea     AUSTRALIA: Banana TR4 affected farms benefit from new agreement
   
Philippines is considering a preferential trade agreement with South Korea to ease access for its banana exports, or may seek to include provisions for banana exports in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) free trade agreement.     Banana growers farming with Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4) and who sell fruit to New South Wales are benefiting from a new interstate fruit certification agreement.
           
VIETNAM: Blockchain to promote trading identity of exports     AUSTRALIA: Papaya growers set for bumper crop
   
Blockchain technology is expected to enhance agricultural exports by providing a global trading identity, speakers at a blockchain conference held in HCM City.     Papaya Australia reported that excellent weather conditions and an increase in plantings had resulted in big numbers for the 2018.
 

     

   
 
OTHER TROPICAL FRUIT NEWS
 
   
   
CAMBODIA: Banana export deal with China set to be signed     MYANMAR: Local company to send large mango shipment to EU

   
Cambodia sealed a fresh banana deal with China this Thursday, opening the doors for the private sector to have a go at the Chinese market.    

Local firm Confirel plans to export 500 tonnes of keo romeat mango to the European Union towards the end of the year. It will be the company’s first shipment to the EU, Cambodia’s second largest export market.

           
RWANDA: Development of ICT innovation expected to help in fight against banana disease     MEXICO: Production of honey, papaya, habanero and turkey decreases in Yucatan

   
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) commenced a collaborative effort to tackle Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) through the use of digital technology.     The collapse of agricultural and livestock production affects the economy of thousands of Yucatecan families and exacerbates poverty levels in the state.

           
ECUADOR: Citrus fruits push the price of papaya     KENYA: Mango farmers seek creative ways to trap destructive fruit flies

       

The abundance of citrus fruits such as oranges and tangerines has harmed papaya producers in  Manabí. Prices have dropped from 60 cents to 30 cents, leading consumers to purchase more citrus instead of papaya.


     A team of Kenyan university graduates who recently completed a one-year training in Israel are empowering locals with knowledge on biological methods Israeli mango farmers use to tame destructive fruit flies.

           
MEXICO: Oaxaca lychee growers plan to expand their production     THAILAND: Chiang Rai Farmers Sell Longan Part of the Belt and Road Initiative  

   
Lychee producers in Oaxaca are betting that demand for their product will continue to grow even though the fruit is rarely consumed in their home state.     As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba and the Thai government have signed a range of deals to sell Thai products online, in particular agricultural crops such as fruits.

           
COSTA RICA: Strike causes heavy losses for pineapple, banana industries     USA: A history of avocado in California  

   
A severe strike in Costa Rica has heavily affected the banana and pineapple industries, with the latter suffering multi-million dollar losses.     There are hundreds of varieties of avocado, but the Hass is by far the most popular. It has a special relationship with California, which grows over 90% of avocados grown in the U.S., most recently around 350 million pounds a year.