Empowering mango farmers in Asia

Blog post prepared by A/Prof. Alec Zuo

Mango is the third most widely grown fruit in the tropics and sub-tropics, after watermelon and banana and is mostly grown by smallholder farmers. Global production has increased by approximately 50% during the last decade by an average of 4.5% per annum. Mango production, market demand and trade patterns are very dynamic both globally and in the Asia Pacific region. Domestic demand and export markets are steadily growing and becoming more diversified and sophisticated, with increasing demand for quality, safety, variety, seasonal availability and consistency creating multiple opportunities for smallholder farmers. Increasing research and development to increase production, quality, market access and returns for mangoes will directly improve the incomes and livelihoods of many thousands of smallholder farmers. To understand the current market and trade environment a series of projects focusing on Mango Agribusiness have been funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)). These activities are led by Griffith University and GFAR is a key partner in this project.

Prof. Sarah Wheeler and A/Prof. Alec Zuo  recently presented at the ACIAR Agribusiness Research Program Workshop 19 to 21 March 2019 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Haikou, Hainan Island, China. The workshop was organized by Griffith University and CATAS (the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences). Associate Professor Xinjian Chen (Guangxi University), who was a visiting scholar at GFAR in 2018 also participated in the three day workshop, together with other participants from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Australia, representing government bodies, universities and private sector.

The research program aims and outcomes will lead to:

  • identifying market development opportunities and implications in China markets
  • recognising strategic research and development opportunities for market entry
  • improved evaluation of opportunities for improving mango quality
  • Enhanced communication, collaboration and capacity development.

Presentations of the research study outcomes are shared on this website under Research.

Tagged in Project communications, News