This is the second international webinar in the series on minor tropical fruits organized by International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet). The webinar which focuses on ‘Enhancing global consumption and trade of passionfruit’ is jointly co-organized with Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GAAS), China, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu, Malaysia and Fruit Tree Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GDAAS), China.
Passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) is among other species under the Passiflora genus that grows as a vine and commercially produced mostly in Brazil, Ecuador, Columbia, China, Australia and Vietnam, and smaller amounts in other tropical and subtropical countries. Rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and other bioactive compounds, passionfruit is usually eaten fresh or processed into juice. According to FAO, Brazil is the biggest producer with about 60 % of total production, while Ecuador, Australia and New Zealand are the main exporters. Currently amounts exported are low, as most of the fruit produced are domestically consumed. Cultivars of this fruit include purple passionfruit or gulupa (P. edulis Sims), granadilla (Passiflora ligularis), Giant passionfruit (Passiflora quadrangularis) and Land yellow passionfruit (P. edulis var. flavicarpa Degenerer).
Passionfruit is appealing because of its health benefits, unique exotic and intense taste, and relatively easy to produce. However, the global market is limited due to its niche nature, limited production, and lack of market promotion. Even though passionfruit is dwarfed by other more popular minor fruits, considering the growing global market demand for diverse, healthy and less popular minor fruits, there is big potential for it to be developed and expanded further. Mostly produced by smallholders and medium size growers, it makes a perfect fruit to grow in a mixed cropping system. There have been considerable research and development and other efforts to improve yields, quality, shelf life and market appeal by the main producing countries. This webinar is set to review some of these achievements and gauge the potential of the fruit to be developed as a popular minor fruit.
The objectives of the webinar are:
- To share information among passionfruit researchers, producers, processors and exporters on the current production, processed products, market trends and challenges in developing the fruit.
- To share information among stakeholders on the various initiatives that can be taken to increase passion fruit production and markets, including varietal development, best farm practices, postharvest management, inputs for the food industry, research and development focus and policies to encourage its cultivation.
- To discuss on initiatives to enhance the visibility of passionfruit in global markets.
Registration
The webinar is open to all, kindly register using your individual email at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpc-CrqDMiGdTJzBE0tuL_0ly7WlkvViHy
Speakers
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Dr. Deng Biao Horticulture Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences Nanning, China |
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Dr. Ellina Mansyah Research Center for Horticulture and Estate Crops, National Research and Innovation Agency Republic of Indonesia |
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Dr. Ruibin Kuang Fruit Tree Research Institute Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences Guangzhou, China |
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Dr. Nguyen Van Viet NaFoods Research & Development Institute for Agriculture, Vietnam |
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Dr. Shiamala Devi Ramaiyah Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia |
Tentative Program
Date: 29 September 2022 (Thursday).
Time: 2.00 pm (Kuala Lumpur, Nanning), 11.30 (Delhi,) 1.00 pm (Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta), 7.00 pm (Suva), 4.00 pm (Brisbane)
| Time | Content |
| 2.00 – 2.15 pm |
Introduction Dorothy Chandrabalan (TFNet) |
| 2.15 – 4.30 pm | Presentations |
| Dr. Deng Biao Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, PR China |
Development status of the passionfruit industry in Guangxi province and progress in the breeding of new varieties |
| Dr. Shiamala Devi Universiti Putra Malaysia, Sarawak, Malaysia |
Current status and initiatives to develop passionfruit as a potential fruit crop in Malaysia |
| Dr. Ellina Mansyah National Research and Innovation Institute, Indonesia |
Status of production, consumption and market of passionfruit in Indonesia |
| Dr. Ruibin Kuang Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, PR China |
Current trends and challenges in passion fruit research and development in China |
| Dr. Nguyen Van Viet NaFoods RDIA, Vietnam |
Passionfruit development for the fresh and processing industry in Vietnam |
| 4.30 – 4.50 pm | Q&A, Panel Discussion
Challenges and opportunities in developing passion fruit for the global market |