THE ROLE OF HORTICULTURE IN MEETING THE FOOD DEMANDS OF THE PACIFIC BASIN REGION

Imbalances between supply and demand for food are certain to continue in Pacific Basin countries well into the 21st Century. Both surpluses and deficiencies in horticultural products already exist and will continue to exist in short-term cycles. Direct aid programmes ought to be restricted to legitimate crisis situations; continued direct aid leading to nutritional dependence is to be avoided. By analogy, continued direct aid in materials, technologies and education would also lead to dependencies by the underdeveloped countries on the developed countries. Mention will be made of the change in strategies concerning education and training programmes provided within the region. Comment will be made on the emerging common-market approach to trade within the region. Prospects for rapid technological advancement in vegetable production already exist. The problems that will appear between now and AD 2000 would appear to be sociological rather than technological.