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GlobalHort
GlobalHort: A new milestone in the fight against poverty and hunger was set in March 2006 by the launch of the Global Horticulture Initiative (GHI). Over $2.5 million was pledged to develop horticultural systems in the world’s poorest countries. The initiative will have a substantial impact on the health and prosperity of millions in Africa and other developing countries. Initiated and guided by ARVDC - The World Vegetable Center, the launch of this international initiative brought together funding agencies from industrial countries, and researchers and stakeholders from all over the world. Over 74 participants from 23 countries joined the launch in Montpellier, France, which was co-organised by the Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), the International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS) and AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center.
Better Health
The Global Horticulture Initiative will mobilize research and development resources for horticulture to enable landless fruit and vegetable producers and small land-holders in developing countries to grow safe fruits and vegetables both for domestic consumption and export. Horticulture has enormous potential. “Consumption of a wider range of vegetables and fruits will improve the health of people in Africa who often eat far less than the minimum amount of 400g per day recommended by WHO and FAO”, says Dr. Denis T. Kyetere, representing the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). Dr Thanwa Jitsanguan of Kasetsart University, Thailand added “We must all work together to solve these issues, which are also a serious concern for developing Asian countries”. Improved diets resulting from a dynamic horticultural sector can prevent vitamin A and other micronutrient deficiencies and therefore help the poor to fight diseases which are endemic and cause terrible suffering. In many cases children’s learning skills can be improved by the simple addition of adequate quantities of safe fruits and vegetables to their daily food. “Health and nutrition are closely linked” states Dr. Marie-Josèphe Amiot-Carlin of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA). “Malnutrition and diabetes for example can be helped by good nutrition. As can obesity in both developing and developed countries. Fruits and vegetables have a crucial role.”
Higher Income
The Global Horticulture Initiative tackles more than only nutrition and health. Horticulture is also an engine for economic growth, since it allows farmers to generate higher incomes. Furthermore, it is a win-win situation that also involves the industrialized world. “Many countries of the northern hemisphere are committed to helping the poor in developing countries. Vice versa, high quality vegetables and fruits produced in the developing world will be ready for export to industrialized countries and provide consumers with a wider choice of diets”, explains Dr. Daniel Henry from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Dr. Rivas Platero from Costa Rica adds “The horticultural sector is critical for both health and wealth in Latin America. There are many different players in that sector, each of which has different needs from horticultural research and development. This initiative will help focus the expertise on the needs of the people”.
Global Expertise
“Research and development partners from all over the globe have come together to address the problems of fruit and vegetable crops grown by millions of poor farmers in developing countries. This initiative is dramatically important, since it motivates R&D organizations to work together on these crops. It gives substantial hope to the poor in Africa, Central and South Asia, the Pacific countries, and Latin America and will help create more jobs and income per unit of land or water”, states Dr. Thomas Lumpkin of AVRDC -The World Vegetable Center.
Further details:
Check out www.globalhort.org or contact:
Global Horticulture Initiative
c/o AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center
Regional Center for Africa
P.O. Box 10
Duluti - Arusha
Tanzania
Telephone: +255 27 2553093, 2553102
Fax: +255 27 2553125
E-mail: rkahane@globalhort.org
