The International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) has completed its 18th Board of Trustees Meeting, chaired by Honourable Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Secretary General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and Chairperson of TFNet’s Board of Trustees.
Also present during the meeting were TFNet Vice Chairpersons Dr. Yi Ganjun, Vice President of the Guangdong Agricultural Academy of Sciences (GDAAS) and Mr. Savanaca Cuquma, Principal Research Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, Fiji. Other board members present were from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, MARDI, FAO, and 2 Expert Members.
TFNet CEO Mr Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali presented the TFNet Progress Report for 2025–2026, covering activities, finance and administration, and the report’s consideration by the Board. The meeting also received a report from TFNet’s Internal Auditors and discussed activities and projects planned for 2027, alongside requests and project proposals from country and associate members.
The report highlighted 71 initiatives and programmes undertaken by TFNet between September 2025 and September 2026. TFNet’s online visibility increased by 442% compared with the previous year. The period also saw membership expansion initiatives and the conclusion of new memorandum of understanding and agreements with partners.
The proposed 2027 work programme sets out realistic targets and includes an initiative to establish International Tropical Fruits Day. The meeting also provided an opportunity for Board members and representatives to share inputs and explore areas for collaboration.
TFNet thanks all Board members, auditors and observers who attended, as well as its country, associate and expert members for their valuable contributions and continued collaboration.
18th TFNet Board of Trustees Meeting
Country Members
- Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Secretary General, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), Malaysia (Chairperson)
- Dr. Yi Ganjun, Vice President, Guangdong Agricultural Academy of Sciences (GDAAS), China (Vice Chairperson)
- Mr. Savanaca Cuquma, Principal Research Officer (Horticulture), Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, Fiji (Vice Chairperson)
- Dr. Muhammad Sohail Mazhar, Senior Director Plant Industry, Department of Industry, Tourism, and Trade, Northern Territory, Australia
- Mr. Khorsed Alam, Director General, Seed Wing, Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh
- Prof. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science), Indian Council of Agri. Research (DARE)
- Mr. Rhod S. Orquia, Supervicing Agriculturist, Bureau of Plant Industry, Philippines
- Prof. Dr. Hassan Ali Dinar, Professor of Horticultural Sciences, King Faizal University, Saudi Arabia
Associate Members
- Dr. Asfaliza Ramli, Deputy Director General (Research), Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)
Expert Members
- Dr. Phebe Ding, Professor, Department of Crop Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia
- Mr. Peter Robert Johnson, Independent Consultant
FAO Representative
- Mr. Pascal Liu, Economist, Int. Investment and Tropical Fruits, Trade and Markets Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Observers
- Mr. Ashish Dhangar, Senior Finance and Accounts Officer, Indian Council of Agricultural Research
- Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Technical Consultant, Bureau of Plant Industry, Philippines
- Dr. Mohd Akhtar Hossain Khan, Chief Seed Technologist, Seed Wing, Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh
- Mr. Mohd Muqsidi bin Tohid, Principal Assistant Secretary, International Division, MAFS