FOREWORD AND PREFACE

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 621: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Horticultural Science in Emerging Economies, Issues and Constraints

FOREWORD AND PREFACE

Authors:

N. de Groot, G. Wilson

Abstract:
This volume of Acta Horticulturae presents the contributions to the symposium Horticultural Science in Emerging Economies: Issues, Opportunities and Constraints as a part of the XXVIth International Horticultural Congress held at Toronto, August 2002. The basic concept of this symposium was to convene leading scientists and/or science administrators from emerging economies in four geopolitical regions of the world: Asia, Africa, Central Asia/Eastern Europe, and Central/South America. Sponsoring funds, provided by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, assured the participation of these invited leaders. Their involvement and key inputs provided legitimacy and enhanced the effectiveness of this multi-day symposium. The objectives for this symposium included:

To reveal the fundamental economic and/or infrastructure problems constraining horticultural science and related industries in each region.
To provide a forum for scientists from developed and developing countries to present papers that relate to timely topics including:
- opportunities or successes in sustainable horticultural production systems in emerging economies, or
- the environmental, biological, or economic constraints to successful production systems.
To provide a forum where opportunities for research cooperation could be presented and discussed.
To relate the challenges of dealing with emerging trade agreements to the production and marketing of horticultural products in emerging economies by considering:
- Possible educational curriculum modifications, especially in areas of agribusiness
- Facilitating interactions between horticultural science faculty and students in industrialized countries and emerging economies

The symposium also:

Included contributed papers from scientists from the developed and developing world
Provided a forum for discussing issues and identifying cooperative research opportunities

The importance of engaging horticultural scientists from emerging economies of the world to address these important issues cannot be underestimated. External experts can often relate to local issues or challenges, and characterize situations, but lack the insights regarding realities to propose sustainable solutions. The invited speakers selected for this symposium possess first rate credentials and experience, and their presentations enlightened participants. Valuable discussions occurred in each session following both invited and contributed presentations, the latter chosen specially to expand on symposium topics. The contributed papers that appear in this volume effectively complemented the messages of the principal presenters.

Co-conveners: George Wilson and Nico de Groot

PREFACE
The papers contained in this volume of Acta Horticulturae report the symposium proceedings. Keynote speakers and selected authors of contributed oral and poster presentations were given the opportunity to submit manuscripts for publication.
Submitted manuscripts were reviewed by at least two members of the Editorial Board and/or external referees. Only those papers that were judged suitable for publication following necessary amendments appear in this volume of Acta Horticulturae.