Avocado Production in Asia and the Pacific - United Nations in ...
Avocado Production in Asia and the Pacific - United Nations in ...
Avocado Production in Asia and the Pacific - United Nations in ...
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FOREWORD<br />
<strong>Avocado</strong> has been known for many centuries, dat<strong>in</strong>g back to at least 1519. It is highly<br />
regarded today as an important fruit for food <strong>and</strong> nutrition. However, this fruit has not yet<br />
been popularized <strong>in</strong> <strong>Asia</strong>, most likely due to unawareness of its merits <strong>and</strong> qualities, despite<br />
remarkable development <strong>in</strong> every o<strong>the</strong>r cont<strong>in</strong>ent.<br />
Given <strong>the</strong> relatively high food <strong>and</strong> nutrition value of avocados, large scale production<br />
<strong>and</strong> consumption of this fruit could considerably alleviate <strong>the</strong> malnutrition problem <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
develop<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Asia</strong>. There is, <strong>the</strong>refore, a very good opportunity <strong>and</strong> potential for <strong>the</strong><br />
development of a viable avocado <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>in</strong> <strong>Asia</strong>. The countries of <strong>the</strong> region are, <strong>the</strong>refore,<br />
encouraged to give consideration to commercial avocado culture. This called for critical<br />
diagnosis of <strong>the</strong> constra<strong>in</strong>ts to avocado production <strong>and</strong> effective solution of <strong>the</strong> problems.<br />
Aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong> above backdrop, FAO organized a Regional Expert Consultation on<br />
<strong>Avocado</strong> <strong>Production</strong> Development, at <strong>the</strong> FAO Regional Office for <strong>Asia</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pacific</strong>,<br />
Bangkok, Thail<strong>and</strong>, from 27 to 29 April 1999. Experts from concerned countries<br />
participated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> workshop. They were able to identify critical issues need<strong>in</strong>g immediate<br />
attention. The report of <strong>the</strong> Consultation was published as FAO/RAP Publication No.<br />
1999/19, <strong>in</strong> June 1999, highlight<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> major recommendations. This publication collates<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r useful <strong>in</strong>formation <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> form of Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
Appreciation is expressed to <strong>the</strong> participants for <strong>the</strong> presentation of papers <strong>and</strong><br />
contribution to <strong>the</strong> discussions. In particular, s<strong>in</strong>cere thanks must be accorded to Mr. M.K.<br />
Papademetriou for compil<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> edit<strong>in</strong>g this valuable document. Also, <strong>the</strong> unfail<strong>in</strong>g<br />
support of Mrs. Valai Visuthi, who provided assistance <strong>in</strong> format<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> manuscript, is<br />
greatly appreciated.<br />
R.B. S<strong>in</strong>gh<br />
Assistant Director-General<br />
<strong>and</strong> FAO Regional Representative<br />
for <strong>Asia</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pacific</strong><br />
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