Successful investments in programs aimed to enhance
horticultural production in the developing world should be
based upon a strategic assessment of the primary constraints
faced by farmers. The awareness of these constraints must
be coupled with an analysis of the local challenges for human
health, as well as the demands of economic and ecosystem
sustainability. In contrast to other areas of agriculture,
horticulture has not received significant attention from the
development community.
In September 2004, the University of California, Davis, AVRDC The
World Vegetable Center, Michigan State University, Purdue
University and University of Hawaii, Manoa, initiated an indepth,
highly collaborative analysis of the opportunities and
challenges for global horticultural development, the first study
of its kind. As a result of this assessment, we are proposing
activities that can form a priority listing for a horticultural
research and capacity building agenda. We believe that such
an agenda can provide the basis for USAID’s portfolio in global
horticultural development.