ISHS Acta Horticulturae 187: I International Symposium on Mechanization of Vegetable Production
OPENING ADDRESS |
| Author: | P. Dr. D. FRITZ |
| Abstract:
I am delighted in the most interesting program and in the success of this First Symposium on Mechanization of Vegetable Production, and I should like to repeat the wishes of the ISHS already expressed yesterday by the Secretary general, Mr. van der Borg for the conference to proceed successfully. Special thanks go to the convener of the symposium, Prof. Dr. Kromer and to all those who have contributed to preparing and arranging it. This is our 'Top Conference', a conference on mechanization of vegetable production, and a really international one, because the problems to be solved are quite different in the individual countries concerned. The mechanization rate not only is set by research workers and constructors but also may be considerably influenced - be it negatively, or be it positively - by the structures of holdings, by labour costs, by the prices achieved for vegetables, by the production volume, etc. We made the experience that symposia were promotors for development of some special fields of research and production in those countries where the meetings had taken place. So horticultural research and the vegetable industry in Germany require impulses and advanced development in all fields of young plant production and mechanization. It is quite a good idea to arrange a joint field day together with the Seed Symposium held at Geisenheim. I have to convey best regards from the participants of that Seed Symposium, especially from the chairman of the working group Dr. George/UK. About 75 people from 17 countries were working very hard yesterday until they had a large scale vine tasting party in the evening, similar to the one arranged here. With more than 25 symposia to be arranged in 1985 the ISHS set a record. I should be pleased if this fact attracted all of those among you who are not members of the ISHS yet to inform yourselves of details at the information desk, and to apply for ISHS membership. It is an essential factor of ISHS activities that they promote personal initiative of individuals and supply the basis for international collaboration to every horticultural scientist. I am sure that the ISHS so makes an essential contribution to the advancement of horticultural sciences. But the Society also helps to develop horticulture as a whole, because no doubt it is a fact: The world needs more horticulture, horticulture needs mechanization, and we need a high quality product. Again extending our gratitude to the conveners I wish this symposium to proceed successfully. | |
