by year for archiving FRESH issues
Pumpkins with a history
Four generations of pumpkin producers in Myanmar hold the diversity needed to improve this valuable crop now and into the future.
Amaranth stakeholders root for approaches to enhance consumption
Researchers, farmers and other stakeholders recognize that Africa's diverse climatic zones can be production powerhouses for indigenous vegetable crops such as amaranth.
Pesticide troubles in Southeast Asia
Pesticide misuse is a widespread problem in vegetable production systems in Southeast Asia. Studies from the World Vegetable Center show the extent of the problem, identify drivers, and point at possible solutions.
MOU signed
The World Vegetable Center and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 30 October 2019 to guide future collaborations. WorldVeg Director General Marco Wopereis and ICAR DG Dr. S. Trilochan Mohapatra put their signatures on the document at the ICAR office in New Delhi.
Representing the USA in Taiwan
A delegation from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) led by Director W. Brent Christensen visited WorldVeg headquarters on 23 October 2019. Although Director Christensen has held several senior positions in the US Foreign Service related to Taiwan over a 29-year period, this was his first visit to WorldVeg -- and HQ staff memebers were delighted to introduce him and his team to the wonderful world of vegetables. Director Christensen was accompanied by Taipei office colleagues Mark Petry, Agricultural Section Chief; Sheree Chang-Chien, Economic Specialist; and Jewel Huang, Information Assistant; and from the AIT Kaoshiung office, Matthew O’Connor, Branch Chief; Peter McSharry, Public Affairs Officer; and Vivian Chu, IRC Assistant. The visitors were briefed on WorldVeg activities by Director of Communications Maureen Mecozzi and took a tour of the Genebank with Deputy Directors-General David Johnson (Research) and Yin-fu Chang (Administration and Services). At the Demonstration Garden, the visitors planted trees (hoop pine, moringa, sesbania, and mahogany) to begin “The AIT Grove” – a symbol of a strong ongoing partnership with the US to support research for development worldwide. Reporters from Taiwan’s FTV were on hand to film the visit.
Quality seeds for Asian and African vegetable growers
Remarks presented by World Vegetable Center Director General Marco Wopereis during the 2019 World Food Prize Borlaug International Symposium, 16 October 2019, Des Moines, Iowa USA.
Tuta absoluta management and mungbean cultivation in Tajikistan
Agriculture is vital to the Central Asian country's economy; knowledge dissemination strengthens farmers' capacity to manage pests, risks, and crops.
WorldVeg, UNICEF partner to improve children’s diets in Cameroon’s Far-north
Vegetables to enrich food with vital nutrients for infants and young children.
New prospects for Odisha
A proposal on sustainable improvement of rural livelihoods through vegetable cultivation and value addition was approved by the Ministry of Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department, Government of Odisha, India on 20 September 2019. The World Vegetable Center will work with the Odisha Livelihood Mission (OLM) to introduce vegetable seed hubs and protected cultivation methods, improve nursery production practices, adopt postharvest practices to reduce losses and increase value addition, and strengthen value chains for tomato, chili, onion and eggplant. WorldVeg Plant Physiologist Dr. Bindumadhava HanumanthaRao will be the project’s principal investigator. More than 65% of Odisha’s population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. Small-scale farmers make up 90% of the state’s farming community, with average landholdings of 1.15 hectares.
