ISHS Acta Horticulturae 334: I International Pineapple Symposium
PREFACE |
| Authors: | Duane P. Bartholomew, K. G. Rohrbach |
| Abstract:
This first ever international pineapple meeting resulted from our interest in improving communication among researchers and growers working with the crop. This was not an interest of ours alone because the possibility of holding such an international meeting on pineapple in Ivory Coast was discussed during the XXIInd Horticultural Congress in Davis California (Lacoeuilhe, J.J., 1990, Pineapple, Chronica Horticulturae 30, p. 59). At the time we began planning for this meeting, we were unaware of the efforts of CIRAD/IRFA (now CIRAD/FLHOR) to organize an international meeting on pineapple. The justifications given by ourselves and Dr. Lacoeuilhe for holding an international meeting on pineapple are remarkably similar. In our initial mailing, we stated that because pineapple research is carried out in relative isolation in a few areas of the tropics and subtropics, often for the direct benefit of a local pineapple industry, much research on this important crop does not find its way into print. This lack of communication hampers progress towards solutions to problems confronting growers and researchers in all areas where pineapple is grown. Dr. Lacoeuilhe stated that: Few people in the world are involved in pineapple but they do not communicate or exchange information. Research is often initiated by local circumstances and problems, which need quick solutions. Publications are rare and of irregular interest compared to other crops of the same economic importance. Dr. Lacoeuilhe proposed to begin to solve this problem by publishing a list of people involved with pineapple research and production and invited people interested in this initiative to contact him. We were among those who missed this important announcement. We stated that our objectives for holding an international meeting on pineapple were to establish a format for the exchange of information, and if possible, to establish a cooperative network to help meet the needs of researchers, extension specialists, and pineapple growers in all parts of the tropics and subtropics. The lengthy list of participants on the previous pages from 23 countries is a testimony to the international interest in holding meetings that focus on pineapple research. We heard from people in several other countries who were unable to attend the meeting because they lacked funds. Participation in the meeting exceeded our expectations and the majority of the papers presented at the meeting can be found in this volume. We also were successful in establishing an international network of growers and researchers; participants at the meeting voted to establish a Pineapple Working Group under the Commission Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture of ISHS. Further, proposals were made in Honolulu to hold international pineapple meetings in 1994 in France or Martinique, to be hosted by CIRAD/FLHOR, and in 1996 in Costa Rica. It has been confirmed that CIRAD/FLHOR will host a second meeting in Martinique 20–25 February, 1995. The success of the symposium was assured by generous support from Brewer Environmental Industries, Inc., Cameco Industries, Del Monte Fresh Produce Hawaii, Del Monte Philippines, Inc., Dole Foods Co., FMC Corporation, Golden Circle Ltd., Island Travels of Hawaii, Maui Pineapple Co., Mobay, Inc., Peninsula Plantation Sdn.
Bhd.
Malyasia, Rhone-Poulenc Ag.
Co., and the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
We gratfully acknowledge their support and hope that good profits will make it possible for them to continue to support symposia in the future. | |
