The hilly and mountainous eco-system of the Asia-Pacific region is the home of some of the most economically disadvantaged communities, who are mainly hill-tribes in origin. Their system of shifting cultivation and subsistence agriculture, which they have practiced for generations, contributed much towards the environmental degradation of the watershed areas in most countries. Besides, this agricultural system was found to be no longer sufficiently productive and remunerative to attract the people who live in those areas.
To encourage these disadvantaged communities, crop diversification was introduced to bring about a more settled form of agriculture. Growing deciduous fruits as cash crops, in place of their traditional crops, appealed to them. The cool climatic conditions in this ecosystem favour the cultivation of many deciduous fruits that found ready markets within the region. Using available technologies, farmers have been able to grow these fruits and make substantial profits.
Many technical problems, however, are yet to be solved in order to provide answers to farmers who produce deciduous fruits. On the other hand, technologies that have already been developed in the various countries of the region have to be disseminated to farming communities that are less developed and need more technological support.
Against this background, FAO organized a Regional Expert Consultation on “Deciduous Fruit Crop Development” at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand, from 2-4 June 1998. Experts from concerned countries participated in the workshop. They were able to identify critical issues that needed more attention. The report of the Consultation was published by FAO (RAP Publication: 1998/10) highlighting the major recommendations. The current publication collates further useful information in the form of Proceedings.
I greatly appreciate the efforts made by Mr. M.K. Papademetriou and Dr. E. Herath in compiling and editing this valuable document.
Dr. Prem Nath
Assistant Director-General
and FAO Regional Representative
for Asia and the Pacific
