PREFACE

It is proof that the International Society for Horticultural Science has now obtained a foothold in Eastern Africa and its endeavours to promote horticultural science in general and disseminate knowledge in particular is bearing fruits. This is very encouraging.

The participants in the first symposium dealt with horticultural crops in these regions. The theme of the present meeting is confined to "Vegetable crops for export".

This is a very important topic. Each country aims at an increasing export and a positive balance of trade so that commodities, services and know-how can be obtained from abroad. This applies also to those countries which are building up their agrarian and industrial sectors of the society, aimed at a rise in the standard of living. A scientific approach of the problems, connected with the export of horticultural produce is therefore very important.

I compliment the organizers of this symposium, in the first place Dr. Taye Bezuneh, on the initiative they have taken. I am sure that it has been a success and that those, who participated returned to their homes with more knowledge and experience than when they arrived.

I like to mention also the names of Mr. H.D. Tindall, chairman of the Commission Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture, and Dr. R. T. Wurster, vice-chairman for Eastern Africa, who have assisted in the preparation of both symposium and the edition of the proceedings.

The Secretary General of the
International Society for Horticultural Science
Dr. G. de Bakker


OPENING ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE,
H.E. ATO ABEBE RETTA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE SECOND
HORTICULTURAL SYMPOSIUM FOR EASTERN AFRICA

It is for me an honour and great pleasure to have been asked to take part at the opening of your Symposium.

The satisfactory development of a horticultural export industry is dependent on research into the production of fruits and vegetable crops under local climatic conditions. However, the speed at which development can take place is limited by the small number of horticultural workers available and horticultural research is therefore at its initial stage in the area. It is frequently stated that horticultural crops are not important, that their demand in local markets is limited and their export earnings are small.

This is often a valid argument when individual crops are considered but the reverse is true of large-scale production; the number of different kinds of fruits and vegetables which can be produced in this region is very large. It can thus be seen that the development of horticultural production could be of considerable national importance.

Apart from the purely commercial aspect, most people are dependent on horticultural products for a healthy diet. It is unfortunate, however, that inefficient methods of production and distribution mean that many people are unable to obtain regular and adequate supplies of these crops at prices they can afford.

One of the by-products of the development of exports is the improvement in quality and increase in quantity of supplies reaching the local market. This is because these is usually a surplus of exportable produce which may amount to some 50% of the total crop. It is inevitable that the local market should benefit from this situation.

It must be admitted that horticultural development in the past has been due more often than not to the offorts of individual producers and that there has been little encouragement from public bodies, particularly in the field of research. It is, therefore, particularly gratifying to me as a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture to be associated with this Second Horticultural Symposium for Eastern Africa, which, through the medium of the Interanational Society for Horticultural Science, is a most encouraging indication of cooperation between the horticulturists in the region.

I am also pleased to note that the theme of the Symposium, "Vegetable Crops for Export", has a practical rather than a academic application.

In this region of Africa, workers engaged in horticultural research are very thin on the ground. It is, therefore, essential that the objectives of research projects should be most carefully considered so that effort is not wasted on work which is unlikely to have an immediate economic result.

In some cases, the results of basic and long-term research which has been carried out under similar ecological conditions in other parts of the world can be applied to our own region. The ability to interpret such results for local application is of the greatest value, because in this way it is sometimes possible to conserve time and effort.

Turning for a moment to vegetables; the screening of exotic cultivars for adaptation to local conditions is of the greatest importance. In certain cases, adaptability can be improved by local selection and seed production. By this means, reliance of the industry on expensive imported seed stocks could be reduced; there would also be little need for growers to make a second choice of crop or cultivar because stocks of the desired cultivar have not arrived from overseas in time for the planting season.

The export of vegetables cannot be successful unless high standards of grading and packaging are adopted and it is necessary to enforce standards by regulations and by inspection services. I would like to commend, for consideration by this Symposium, the adoption of uniform export standards by the countries of East Africa.

A perennial problem in developing vegetable exports by air is the high cost of air freight to Europe and the shortage of freight space. May I suggest that the Symposium consider recommending a joint approach to the I.A.T.A. (International Air Transport Authority) by the Governments of the countries in this region, in order to obtain more favourable air freight rates for fresh produce? It would appear that shortage of freight space could be overcome if more scheduled cargo flights were made available, or charter flights were arranged for the export period. Our producers are much more likely to obtain what they need by concerted, rather than by individual, action.

Lastly, I would like to suggest that you consider the possibility of establishing a permanent liaison group, for the coordination of research relating to the general advancement of horticulture in our region, with the eventual aim of helping to raise the standard of life of the people.

I wish this Symposium a great success.


DR. AKLILU HABTE, PRESIDENT OF HAILE SELLASSIE I UNIVERSITY

On behalf of the Haile Sellassie I University, it is my pleasure and honour the make a few brief remarks on the occasion of this extremely important Symposium. As most of you know, the University has encouraged its staff working in the field of horticultural science to participate actively in promoting horticultural education, research and enterprise throughout this region. We believe this can be best achieved by making professional contacts and exchanges of relevant scientific information. And that is why we wish to assure you of our continued support in assisting you to achieve your objectives.

Horticultural activity in general can be highly developed in the various regions of Africa if aggressive programmes of horticultural education and research are established in the Universities and research centres. The theme of this Symposium: "Vegetable Crops for Export" could also be a major research concern of Agricultural Colleges in Africa. During the last decade, the College of Agriculture, H.S.I.U., has been associated with the export of vegetables to Djibouti by providing technical help to the Alemaya Farmers' Cooperative. This experience has revealed the following major problems:

1. Socio-agricultural problems related to the organization of cooperatives
2. Problems of vegetable storage
3. Transport of vegetable produce and marketing services

We hope that some aspects of these problems will be discussed at this Symposium.

An increase in vegetable consumption by African people will not only serve to alleviate the nutritional deficiences which are apparent in various parts of Africa, but should also stimulate the commercial production of vegetables at the periphery of large urban centres. In order to achieve these objectives, horticultural education, through both Extension and Home Economics programmes, needs to be stressed. Agricultural Colleges at Universities can strengthen such educational programmes in cooperation with Ministries of Agriculture, Community Development and other agencies. Furthermore, active cooperation between horticulturists in Eastern and other parts of Africa can not only promote the production and export of high quality horticultural produce but can stimulate horticultural research over a wide range of activity.

May I wish you all every success.


SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZATION

Dr. R.T. Wurster, Vice-Chairman (East Africa) of the Commission for Tropical and Sub-tropical Horticulture, gave a brief outline of the extensive preparations which had been necessary for the organization of the Symposium and acknowledged the great help which had been given to the Convenor, Dr. Taye Bezuneh, Assistant Professor of the College of Agriculture, Alemaya, by many individuals and organizations in Ethiopia.

He referred, in particular, to the support given by His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Ato Abebe Retta and the staff of the Institute of Agricultural Research; the General Manager of the Institute, Dr. Dinichew-Year-goo and Dr. Fadda, the Project Manager of the Institute assigned by U.N.D.P. had been most generous in their support of the Symposium.

A great deal of assistance had also been afforded by Dr. Aklilu Habte, the President of Haile Sellassie I University and the College of Agriculture, Alemaya and Dr. Melak H. Mengesha, the Dean of the College of Agriculture who had willingly agreed to the appointment of Dr. Bezuneh as Convenor.

The generosity of the Association for the Advancement of Agricultural Science in Africa (AAASA) in offering the use of the Africa Hall through the Economic Commission for Africa and the great help given by the Secretary of AAASA, Ato Yohannis Negash were also major factors contributing to the success of the Symposium; the cooperation of the AAASA in announcing the ISHS Symposium as a joint meeting with the Second AAASA Conference was much appreciated. This arrangement made it possible for many useful contacts to be made between AAASA and ISHS members with common interests.

Dr. Wurster referred to the fact that fifteen coutries were represented at the Symposium and outlined the future objectives of the Commission which included three Symposia to be held in East and West Africa during the next four years. He also emphasized the fact that horticultural production and attendant research were becoming increasingly important in the crop diversification programmes of many African countries

In his final remarks, Dr. Wurster welcomed the Secretary-General of the ISHS, Dr. G. de Bakker, who had travelled from The Netherlands in order to attend the Symposium.