Scripta Horticulturae Number 8
Increasing Fruit Consumption to Improve Health - ISAFRUIT Forum
ISBN 978-90-6605-651-0 (104 pages) - November 2008
In January 2006 the ISAFRUIT project began. 300 scientists from 60 research and development institutions and SMEs, in 16 countries across Europe, the USA and New Zealand, embarked upon a mission to encourage increased consumption of fruit, to improve the health and well-being of the European population.
Despite government initiatives to encourage people to eat more fresh fruit and the fact that fruit is synonymous with good health in the minds of consumers, quantities consumed are not increasing, and they vary widely across Europe, from 70-100 kg in Italy, the Netherlands, Greece and Spain to 40-60 kg per person each year in Poland, the UK and Germany. This suggests that many Europeans still do not consume the recommended daily minimum of five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The EU Framework 6-funded ISAFRUIT Integrated Project in the area of food quality and safety is the only FP 6 Integrated Project entirely focused on fruit, and runs until 2010. The emphasis of the individual projects that are comprised in this integrated study is to address bottlenecks to fruit consumption such as: consumer perceptions, fruit availability, quality and convenience, and environmentally-friendly production. The project focuses on the idea that improving both the quality and availability of fruit and fruit products, along with raising customer awareness, will boost fruit consumption and improve the health and well-being of Europeans.
ISAFRUIT’s goal of increasing fruit consumption has strong foundations in new knowledge created by a multidisciplinary team of natural and social scientists addressing many aspects of the multi-faceted fruit chain. Meeting consumer expectations in terms of quality, flavour and taste plays a key role in achieving increased fruit consumption and ISAFRUIT’s supply chain approach has been addressing bottlenecks that may affect these characteristics.
Starting with consumer science, social scientists have been identifying and explaining patterns of variation in fruit consumption across Europe. The project’s researchers have been investigating the reasons for consumer behaviours and their attitudes to new innovations; asking what are the drivers behind buying decisions for fruit and fruit-derived products; and analysing traits of fruit and fruit products supply chains to identify their capacity to act as a coordinated chain.
It is well known that a diet rich in fruit and vegetable content can reduce the risk of chronic disease, but the fruit traits responsible for the beneficial human health effects of fruit consumption are not well known, such as those related to cardio-vascular diseases and obesity, particularly in younger generations. These are also targets of investigation for the ISAFRUIT project, which studies the impact of regular consumption of fruit and innovative fruit-derived products on health. A significant percentage of European consumers suffers from fruit allergenicity. Close cooperation among ISAFRUIT scientists (human health experts, fruit geneticists, horticulturists) is addressing this problem from many angles, with the goal of providing consumers with fruit of reduced allergenic potential either thanks to innovative growing techniques, or because these genes have been silenced in novel transgenic products via biotechnology.
Processed fruit products can be more convenient for the consumer, therefore novel fruit products and processes have been developed and the health properties of these foods have been investigated. The keeping qualities of minimally processed products and fruit-based snacks can help to increase the availability and wider consumption of fruit especially by the young and ISAFRUIT is developing a knowledge base on the uptake of such products.
Consumers are now also much more aware of where their food comes from and they want questions about how their food has been produced to be answered. ISAFRUIT has directed efforts to attain the highest pre-harvest quality of fruit by developing sustainable production methods that save energy and natural resources such as water, and reduce pesticide and fertilizer applications thanks to the adoption of precision agriculture methods, including innovative mechanical equipment, models and decision support systems. This work lays the foundation for studies on the post-harvest phase of the supply chain, which aim to provide the consumer with high quality fruit at every purchase, to increase the potential of meeting consumer expectations, while the use of “generally regarded as safe” methods to preserve quality during storage will also increase consumer confidence. Non-destructive tools for quality control along the supply chain will help the trade to guarantee the quality expected by consumers. This all contributes to producing fruit and fruit-products that are more inviting and acceptable to the consumer.
ISAFRUIT researchers have carried out the largest to date study of consumer acceptance of existing, innovative apple and peach varieties throughout Europe. The results from these studies and knowledge gained mapping genes responsible for important fruit quality traits in these species will facilitate bringing better varieties to market in future, including prospects for reduced chemical inputs and low- or allergen-free-products.
Finally, ISAFRUIT has developed strategies to identify, protect and exploit intellectual property and to disseminate new scientific information, skills training and knowledge, including plans to involve the key actors in the European fruit industry. This new knowledge can ultimately be disseminated to a variety of audiences including key decisions-makers, with whom the responsibility of policy-driven change lies.
In June 2007, the European Commission adopted a White Paper setting out a wide range of proposals to tackle nutrition- and obesity-related health issues. An advisory group, made up of representatives from each Member State, was appointed to monitor progress. Its final report is due in 2010. Among other measures proposed, new programmes to promote the consumption of fruit and vegetables are being developed. In line with these objectives a joint initiative of ISAFRUIT, the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) and the European Economic and Social committee, has brought together ISAFRUIT researchers with their colleagues from the World Health Organisation, the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development and ISHS to discuss issues related to fruit consumption from the perspectives of consumer behaviour, the health-giving benefits of fruit and initiatives to encourage increased consumption, in particular by school children. This volume provides reviews of the work done in these areas.
The present volume, Following Pistachio Footprints, published in the International Society for Horticultural Science series Scripta Horticulturae originates from the collaboration of a CRA researcher with different international colleagues and with the Region of Sicily under whose responsibility the printing was realized. The book, entirely bilingual in English and Italian, provides information on research, experimentation, cultivation techniques, the origin of the cultivars, the distribution, history traditions and utilization in most of the countries which cultivate the pistachio. The title, "Following Pistachio Footprints" reflects the ancient roots on the knowledge of this plant. Indeed, already the Bible makes a reference to Jacob who sent pistachios, together with other fruits, as a present to the Pharaoh. Also at the Royal Household of the Queen of ancient Saba, pistachios were a privilege reserved only to her and few selected people. Pistachio production, as well as its consumption, has been continuously rising throughout the years; however, due to their relatively high price deriving from their difficult cultivation (late entering into bearing and tendency to alternate bearing), pistachios are destined only to limited markets. International prices for pistachios to be consumed as a snack are not below 12 €/kg, and those for pistachios destined to processing (for example the green pistachio of Sicily) may even be twice as high. The interest in this fruit has stimulated a flow of importation involving more than 90 countries. Major import is noted from European countries, followed by some States from the Persian Gulf, and China. On contrast to this, only few countries produce the pistachio: Afghanistan, China, Cyprus, Greece, Iran, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Pakistan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Uzbekistan. The medium annual production is about 450.000 tons of pistachios in shell, 75% of which are produced in Iran and the USA. However, the pistachio deserves more attention than it has received until now, not only because it is a fruit which does not have market problems (which is the first parameter to consider for producers), but also because this plant is able to grow and produce under difficult pedoclimatic conditions. The book presents some examples, like the forests in Afghanistan, some areas m Iran and the pistachio orchards around the Etna in Sicily. And in fact, it is this region, where, apart from 'the peculiar green cotyledons of the Pistachios of Bronte, which let them reach highest market prices everywhere in the world the Etnean pistachio production is the testimony for th~ species' capability to get established in areas which otherwise would be abandoned. Thus, the pistachio also plays an important social and environmental role by preventing whole territories from depopulation. We all know that the world is in steady evolution and globalization does not leave space for less competitive crops, but monetary profits cannot always and exclusively be the motivation of an investment. This is even more true for those regions where aspects like tradition and culture might also essentially contribute to endogenous development.
In 2005, about 3.6 million MT of strawberries, Fragaria L., were produced in 75 countries. Strawberry species have a complex background including natural diploid, tetraploid, pentaploid, hexaploid and octoploid genomes. Centers for strawberry species diversity include Eurasia and North and South America. The primary cultivated gene pool is octoploid and the hybrid berry that dominates the commercial market has only been developed within the last 350 years. Wild species distributions are limited and landraces may be lost with encroachment of human development. Molecular geneticists are beginning to realize the advantage of working with Fragaria and its small-sized genome. Breeders plan to incorporate new sources of wild plant material to expand the restricted cultivated genepool. Vulnerable wild collections have been identified for future collection and preservation efforts. Internationally, 27 countries and two genebank networks, maintain more than 12,000 accessions in about 57 locations. Roughly half of these represent advanced breeding lines of the cultivated hybrid strawberry, F. ×ananassa, some of which are proprietary. It’s estimated that in addition to public collections, global private corporations also maintain a similar amount of proprietary cultivated hybrids for internal use. Primary collections at national genebanks consist of living plants, protected in containers in greenhouses or screenhouses, or in the field. Secondary backup collections are maintained in vitro under refrigerated temperatures. Long-term backup collections of meristems are placed in cryogenic storage at remote locations to provide decades of security. Species diversity is represented by seed lots stored in -18 °C or backed up in cryogenics. Conservation of vegetatvely propagated material is more complicated and expensive than that of crops that are maintained in the form of seed. The health status of both forms of storage is key for safe global distributions to meet plant quarantine regulations. An international expert committee meeting was held from July 5 to 8, 2006, at the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Clonal Gemplasm Repository, NCGR, Corvallis, Oregon, United States. “Global Conservation Strategy for Strawberry” is based on a strawberry genebank questionnaire completed by 37 responders from 27 countries, about one third of the total countries reporting annual production to FAO (FAO, 2007), provided specific information concerning their collections. From published journals, it is expected that additional major collections are located in China, although no responses were received from collections there. The committee suggested that the development of two country genebanks be supported in China and Chile. A granting system for improved health of strawberries in genebanks should be supported. Limited resources are constraining genebanks from sufficient personnel, secure backup, adequate facilities, and equipment. Training of genebank staff in standard protocols is needed. Coordination of characterization data and web accessible database listing of strawberry genetic resources should also be supported.
More than 1400 species have been recognized in the ancient Proteaceae family
(Rebelo 1995). Their occurrence is mostly distributed between Australia with about 800 species and Africa with about 400 species with the remainder found in South America, the islands east of New Guinea, and a few species in southeast Asia, New Zealand, and Madagascar. They are broadly referred to as proteas, although we identify specific genera by their Latin names. The subfamily Proteoideae, largely found in Africa, has contributed the genera Protea, Leucadendron, and Leucospermum to floricultural trade, while the Australian Grevilleoideae has contributed Banksia and Grevillea that have found similar use in floriculture and landscaping. Other genera are still emerging in importance (Criley, 2001). Registration of proteaceous ornamentals by the International Protea Register is web-based: http://www.nda.agric.za/docs/Protea2002/proteaceae_register.htm. Recognizing the importance of these plants, Dr. Jules Janick, editor of the Horticultural Reviews series, enlisted a number of authors to prepare reviews of four genera: Dr. Margaret Sedgley (1998) to cover Banksia, Dr. Richard Criley (1998) to cover Leucospermum, Drs. J. H. Coetzee and Gail Littlejohn (2001) to cover Protea and Drs. Jaacov Ben-Jaacov and Avner Silber (2006) to cover Leucadendron. Since the literature about these plants is quite diverse and some is published in less-than-widelyread languages such as Afrikans and Hebrew, these authors have brought to the fore syntheses of the taxonomy, culture, breeding, propagation, nutrition, disease and insect pests, and postharvest practices that would otherwise remain out of the grasp of most readers. Obviously, some of the information on economics and areas of production were out-dated at the time of this re-publication, and additional research has been published. Although these reviews summarize many sources of literature for these ornamentals, the Protea Working Group of the International Society for Horticultural Science also has generated significant information from seven symposia and one workshop on proteas, with papers published in the Acta Horticulturae series.(listed below).Moreover, students of Professor Gerard Jacobs of the University of Stellebosch in South Africa have published theses that have added significantly to our knowledge of physiology and management of the South African Protea and Leucospermum, while Dr. Sedgley’s students at the University of Adelaide have contributed to our knowledge of Banksia. Research has been conducted in many of the Mediterranean climates in which proteas survive and thrive, most notably South Africa, Zimbabwe, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, southern California, Hawaii, the Canary Islands, Portugal, and France, but the search for “new” floral crops has lead to evaluations in Chile, Costa Rica, Thailand, and interest in other parts of the world has grown as well. Through the joint efforts of the International Protea Association and the International Society for Horticultural Science, it has been possible to gather together the reviews on Banksia, Leucadendron, Leucospermum, and Protea into this volume of Scripta Horticulturae. We thank the publishers of Horticultural Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., for permission to bring these valuable sources together into one book. May this volume stimulate additional research and understanding of these fascinating plants!
People's identity is formed by the interactions of a large number of circumstances, factors and elements which, in the course of the time, have given origin to traditions and habits linked to ethnic groups living in certain geographic conditions.
Typical agro-alimentary products are important and valuable tools to identify a culture because they reflect the specific pedo-climatic, technical, cultural and organizational events, which are necessary to call to life certain mechnisms for the development of local communities. In this sense, almond cultivation has an emblematic meaning either in terms of landscape and folklore, as well as for gastronomic reasons. 
The production of horticultural commodities offers potential to alleviate poverty, meet domestic human nutritional needs and stimulate growth in emerging economies of the world. Healthy people are more able to develop economic infrastructure and improve their standard of living. Horticultural crops–which include fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, medicinal plants and ornamentals–represent a wide range of species that can be grown in diverse agro-ecological zones over extended periods of the year. Integrating horticultural crops into diets can increase dietary diversity, thereby minimizing the potential loss of human cognitive and physical development that is a result of nutrient deficiencies. The introduction of horticultural crops increases the diversity of the production system, which promotes agricultural and ecological sustainability, while contributing to domestic food production.
In September 2004, the University of California, and colleagues, initiated an in-depth, highly collaborative analysis of the opportunities and challenges for global horticultural development, the first study of its kind. A series of workshops brought together leading experts and key stakeholders to discuss the potential of horticulture to enhance the well being of developing countries and their peoples. The specific goal of the workshops was to develop the guidelines for implementation of a regional assessment project that will serve as a basis for USAID activities in this sector. Attendees of the workshops were leading development colleagues including: USAID-Washington, USDA, university horticultural scientists, ISHS, horticultural industry private sector representatives, NGO’s and donor agencies.
The concluding document, of these workshops was published as Scripta Horticulturae n° 3.
Market access to
Western European markets for developing countries is a key issue in the 2004-2007
policy programme 'Vital and Together' of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture,
Nature and Food Quality. The Netherlands helps developing countries to improve their market performance by means of
public-private partnerships, capacity building and the provision of access to
Western markets. The aim is to stimulate sustainable agricultural development
and to decrease poverty in developing countries. This report describes
theoretical approaches to ensure the sustainable development of floriculture in
developing countries. Market growth and competitive advantage are used as
indicators for sustainability. The report also provides an overview of
floriculture worldwide. Large importing countries as well as the main exporting
countries are reviewed. Next the report tests the empirical findings against
the theoretical approaches. The conclusion is directed to the usefulness of the
theoretical approaches for analysing the sustainable development of the floriculture
industry in developing countries. The impact on poverty reduction and the issue
of capacity building are not within the scope of this study.
Following the introduction, chapter two presents the economic environment and the attendant dynamics,
focusing especially on general economic development and key indicators, service delivery,
government policies relevant to the horticultural sector, infrastructure and entrepreneurship.
Chapter three describes the horticultural sector, its institutional context and services,
key policies and existing national programmes related to the sector.
Chapter four analyses the international and European market developments and links with products from developing countries.
National, regional and international trends in production and consumption are analysed.
In Chapter five, the production trends, marketing and post harvest aspects of selected horticultural crops are presented in detail.
Lastly, constraints, opportunities and the competitiveness of the Uganda horticultural sector are presented in Chapter six.