Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
3.4.2 Increased production and trading
Commercial interest in several underutilized fruits has resulted in increased
cultivated areas in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries
(Pareek et al ., 1998). The export of fruits from Asia alone has been increased by
12% annually (Singh, 1993) although the potential for export earnings is much
higher. The increase in production through systematic programmes, such as the
Underutilized Tropical Fruits in Asia Network (UTFANET, 2003), has facilitated
the development of high-quality planting materials for jackfruit, mangosteen and
pummelo through farmer participatory surveys and the evaluation, collection
and characterization of these species. Farmers' choices included characteristics
for sweetness, juicy fruits, high yield, small stature and quality timber. Additional
characteristics, including tolerance to drought and disease, and the ability to
withstand extreme temperatures and grow on marginal lands, were maintained.
Approximately 1100 accessions of jackfruit, 230 of mangosteen and 300 of
pummelo were collected, with further plants identified in the field (ICUC, 2003).
From those, approximately 130 jackfruit, 10 mangosteen and 40 pummelo have
been selected for propagation trials (ICUC, 2003).
3.4.3 Improved processing and marketing
Various indigenous fruits are processed at different levels of sophistication.
Fruits such as tamarind, jackfruit and pummelo are processed in various forms
for domestic consumption. Traditional methods of preservation have developed
into cottage industries in some areas, with produce sold in urban domestic
markets. Some cottage industry operations also engage in supplying larger
processing plants with semi-processed products (ICUC, 2006).
Processing of added-value products can also be lucrative, as demonstrated
by a women's group in Thailand. By making use of 'dropped' pummelo fruits,
which can attract fruit flies to the orchard, in processing into candies, the group
has managed to establish a stable business, expanding its membership from
seven to 45 women. The group earns a decent salary and has also started to
train other local groups (Muang-Thong, 2002). Women play a major role in the
harvesting, processing and marketing of underutilized indigenous tree products
(Ruiz et al ., 1997). Such extra income, controlled by the women, is likely to be
spent on education, nutrition and health, and this brings greater respect from
their families and communities.
Some farmers or community groups, however, make the decision not to
sell their produce to an intermediary, but to market their own products. The
Ikalahan people are a forest-dwelling community living in the northern
mountains of the Philippines. After producing quality jams and jellies from
locally gathered wild forest fruits, they decided to sell their products in local
towns. Through a process of trial and error and with help from the local
university, the community has been successful in its endeavour and is
producing and successfully marketing locally produced products (Rice, 2002).
The Ikalahan people were fortunate to enlist the help of others in their quest to
Search WWH ::




Custom Search