The International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Minor Use Foundation (MUF) to collaborate on projects and activities addressing sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in pests and diseases management.
The MOU was signed on 30 April 2025 by Mr. Yacob Ahmad, Acting CEO of TFNet, and Dr. Sasireka Rajendran, Global Operations Manager of MUF.
Under the agreement, MUF is formally acknowledged as an Associate Member of TFNet.
Under the terms of the MOU, both parties will cooperate in the following areas:
- Knowledge sharing and outreach
- Networking and visibility
- Capacity building
- Event participation
- Technical collaborations
MUF, founded in 2018, is a global not-for-profit research foundation, which is headquartered in Raleigh, New Jersey, USA and works in collaboration with global partners to enhance the access for crop protection tools for specialty crop growers. MUF works to develop and implement practical and effective solutions, ensuring these farmers can grow healthier, more profitable crops. The foundation also focuses on minor crops, including minor tropical fruits that are often high value and are important for trade and economic growth in developing countries. Additionally, it provides technical assistance and helps set standards to allow minor crop growers to access global markets.
Key aspects of MUF’s scope of work include:
- generating data on chemical residue and providing regulators with access to modern crop protection tools,
- improve the supply chain of specialty crops by ensuring that stakeholders comply with the minimum residue limits (MRLs) for chemicals required by international markets,
- providing smallholder growers with locally validated crop protection solutions that could increase yield and
- Work with regulators to streamline MRLs through science-based regulatory systems.
The MUF have staff from 7 countries that work remotely together to manage projects in 16 countries around the world.
For more information, visit minorusefoundation.org.