Avocado Production in Asia and the Pacific - United Nations in ...

Natural calamities
Natural calamities include typhoon, hot temperature and cold injury. Typhoon is the
major calamity in Hainan, Guangdong and Fujian. Strong wind results in damaging the
branches and trunks of the trees, causing poor bearing and low yield. High temperature in
the south of Hainan also shows adverse influence on the growth of avocado. Cold injury of
avocado occurs in the north of Guizhou, Yunnan and Guangxi. For the development of
avocado production, careful selection of varieties for various climatic conditions should be
considered.
Weak extension service and dissemination of technology
Avocado orchards were privately owned in the past, and the trees planted were
progenies of unknown source without selection. The farmers had very little technical
knowledge. The needed production technology for commercial cultivation has been
developed by the South China University of Tropical Agriculture and the Guangxi Staff
University of State Farms since the late 1980s when good varieties were introduced and trials
were instigated. Nursery plants of selected varieties have been distributed for trial planting
in some provinces of South China. There are, however, very few people engaged in avocado
research. The orchards are widely scattered, and there are very few large-scale commercial
plantations, leading to difficulties in extension work and dissemination of technology.
10. GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PLANS FOR RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT OF AVOCADO
Research work on avocado was included in key programmes of the Ministry of
Agriculture of China between 1986 and 1995. The Guangxi Bureau of State Farms and the
South China University of Tropical Agriculture were entrusted to embark on avocado
research work. Scientists were sent to the USA and Mexico for training on aspects of
avocado production development. Demonstration plots for commercial cultivation have
been established in Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi. However, very limited financial
contribution is made at present by the government to commercial expansion of avocado due
to poor marketing. In spite of this, the government encourages companies and farmers to
plant avocado for strengthening its publicity.
11. CONCLUSIONS
China has an 80-year history of avocado. The climate and soil in several provinces of
south and southwest China are suitable for avocado production. However, there is no largescale
commercial production of avocado in China at present due to various reasons. Also,
there are no import and export markets for avocado.
Avocado is planted at present mainly in Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and
Fujian provinces. However, there is a larger tract of hilly land in south and southwest China
suitable for avocado development.
China has a large population with limited cultivated land. To secure food for the
increasing population, avocado has a role to play as a source of food and nutrition. Avocado
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