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Under-utilised Tropical Fruit in Asia

Network

(UTFANET)

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UTFANETThe Under-utilised Tropical Fruit in Asia Network (UTFANET) is a programme of the International Centre for Under-utilised Fruits Crop (ICUC) with current headquarters at the University of Southampton, UK.

Network of nine Asian countries:

Bangladesh, India,

Indonesia, Nepal,

Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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UTFANETGOALS:⌧To improve the economic and social development and nutrition of the people in the region through the increased production of tropical fruit trees.

⌧ To develop collaborative partnerships within the region for biodiversity conservation, and the efficient use of genetic resources, expertise and technologies.

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UTFANETGOALS:⌧To assemble, collate and distribute relevant information on selected tropical fruit species for dissemination to scientists, fruit growers and policy makers.

⌧ To improve propagation, production, management and post harvest practices of tropical fruits for improved nutrition and

⌧ To enhance income generation particularly for women and children

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REGIONAL SURVEYSRegional surveys carried out by national partners agreed to initially concentrate on three under-utilised fruit trees, namely

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus),

Pummelo (Citrus grandis)

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana).

The report includes results of survey, collection, characterisation, evaluation and selection of germplasm, development of appropriate propagation methods, multiplication and distribution of planting materials and training for scientists, farmers and nursery persons in all partner countries.

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SURVEY, COLLECTION AND SELECTION OF PRIORITY SPECIES

JACKFRUIT MANGOSTEEN PUMMELO COUNTRY No. of Accsns.

Collected Selection No. of Accsns.

Collected Selection No. of Accsns.

Collected Selection

Bangladesh

70

10

-

-

93

5

India

53

33

1

1

40

8

Indonesia

28

4

-

-

-

-

Nepal

300+

47

-

-

132

4

Pakistan

10

10

-

-

6

-

Philippines

148

-

82

4

31

-

Sri Lanka

77

3

572

2

66

6

Thailand

62

2

7

-

52

2

Vietnam

200

8

4

4

50

9

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Propagation Studies

In-vitro Vegetative In-virto Vegetative Seed In-virto VegetativeJackfruit Mangosteen Pummelo

Bangladesh

India

Indonesia

Nepal

Pakistan

Philippines

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Vietnam

Country

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Recommended for Vegetative Propagation Methods

Veneer grafting Side Veener graftingCleft grafting Side grafting

Epicotyl grafting Cleft graftingSoftwood grafting BuddingEpicotyl grafting Air layering

Indonesia Top graftingCleft grafting

Splice graftingPakistan Cuttings Grafting

Philippines Modified Cleft Grafting Seed BuddingCleft grafting

Inarchingapproach grafting

SeedThailand Grafting Cleft grafting Cleft grafting

Vietnam Grafting Cleft grafting Cleft grafting

Mangosteen Pummelo

Vaneer grafting

Wedge grafting Wedge grafting

Country

Bangladesh

India

Nepal

Sri Lanka

Jackfruit

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Distribution of Planting Materials

GraftsTissue

Cultures Seedlings

Bangladesh 192 100 128India 125 59Indonesia 750Nepal 480 48Philippines 1600Thailand 1000 117Vietnam 500 300

JackfruitCountry No. of FarmersNo. of Planting Materials Distributed

GraftsTissue

Cultures Seedlings

PhilippinesThailand 100 20Vietnam 100 9

MangosteenCountry No. of Planting Materials Distributed No. Of farmers

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Distribution of Planting Material

Grafts Tissue Cultures Seedlings

Bangladesh 148 140India 133 55Nepal 500 50Thailand 1000 51Vietnam 500 20

No. of FarmersCountry

PummeloNo. of Planting Materials Distributed

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TRAINING PROVIDED

9863201725283553020

BANGLADESHINDIAINDONESIANEPALPAKISTANPHILIPPINESSRI LANKATHAILANDVIETNAM

NO. OF FARMERS AND NURSERY PERSONS TRAINED

COUNTRY

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BangladeshSummary:Wide range of underutilized fruit species grown

Findings are based on Tamarindus indica, Ziziphus mauritiana/jujuba, Artocarpus herterophyllus, Elaeocarpus floribundus, Aegle marmelos, Psidiumguajava, Embilica officnalis, Borassus aethiopum.

Underutilized fruits being processed by small + medium-scale processors

Limited range of products (pickles, chutney, jam/ jelly), most products are for home use and local markets

Main constraints:Seasonal availability of fruits (3 – 4 months)Fruits cannot be stored (except tamarind + ber)Lack of cash to buy in bulk for storageLack of knowledge and information for improved processing methods and

quality asuranceLack of marketing facilities

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IndiaSummary:Wide range of underutilized fruit species grown

Findings are based on Tamarindus indica, Ziziphus Mauritiana, Artocarpus herterophyllus, Annona sqamosa, Embilca officinalis, Garcina indica, Syzygiumcumini, Feronia elephantum, Borassus flabellifer, Agele marmelos

Full potential is not exploited by processors, potential varies from region to region, little product diversification

Limited scope for marketing of processed goods outside the region (exception: tamarind)

Processing methods are mostly traditional and limited innovation noted

Main constraints:Marketing problems, limited market linkagesSeasonal availability of fruits (3 – 4 months)No suitable storage methods + facilities availablePoor quality of products, competition from large processors who produce

high quality products at a competitive price

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NepalSummary:Wide range of underutilized fruit species grown

Findings are based on Tamarindus indica, Ziziphus Mauritiana, Artocarpus herterophyllus, Annona sqamosa, Embilca officinalis, Agele marmelos, Psidiumguajava, Prunus persica, Bassica butyracea, Eugenia jambolana, Choerospondiasaxillaries

Only tamarind, jackfruit, lapsi and bael are processed to any extent by the small-scale sectorTamarind is available all year around and is widely usedBer fruit is less widely available, products are rarely known by consumersProduction mainly limited to local markets (exception lapsi)

Main constraints:Lack of information on processing technology and know-howLack of information on product diversificationLack of suitable processing machinery + equipmentLimited availability and high costs of raw material Limited access to packaging material

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Sri LankaSummary:Wide range of underutilized fruit species grown

Findings are based on Tamarindus indica, Artocarpus herterophyllus, Annona cherimola, A. muricata, Garcina mangostana, Agele marmelos, Psidium guajava, Averrhao blimbi, Durio zibethinus, Passiflora edulis, Punica granatum, Citrus grandis, Nephelium lappaceum, Manilkara sapota, Limonia acidissima.

Fairly well organized sector for processing several underutilized fruits speciesWide range of products availableNo problem in accessing packaging materialsProduction mainly for local and national markets however larger organizations

export to the international market.

Main constraints:Poor infrastructure and limited access to equipment, water and waste

disposal facilitiesShortage of skilled labour and knowledge of processing technologiesLimited availability of quality raw materialsSeasonal fluctuation in price of raw materialsHigh cost of packing materialMarketing problems

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VietnamSummary:Wide range of underutilized fruit species grown

Findings are based on Tamarindus indica, Ziziphus mauritiana, Artocarpus herterophyllus, Annona squamosa, Euphorbia longan, Litchi chinensis, Psidium guajava, Syzygium samarangense, Diospyros virginiana, Garcinia mangostana, Citrus grandis, Manilkara sapota.

Majority of fruits are eaten fresh, no product diversificationLimited household processingProducts are not competitive with imported goodsMost processed fruits (canned in syrup) are exported (produced by large

processing plants), local market for processed fruits has not been exploited.

Main constraints:Processing is over a limited period due to seasonal productionLimited availability of quality raw materialsMarketing problemsLack of technology and equipment

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Recommendations to overcome constraints•Access to information:

Collect and document local knowledge of traditional processingProvide information on processing technology and marketingProvide know-how and technology on preparation of semi-processed

fruits•Improve quality of products:

Provide training courses in food technology, hygiene, quality control•Increase range of products:

Provide information on a range of possible products. Provide know-how on processing-methodologies for new productsExplore medicinal properties and nutritional value and their potential

for niche marketsInvestigate potential supply of semi-processing fruits to large food

companies•Improved storage and availability of raw materials:

Investigate improved storage optionsProvide credit facilities to small-scale processors to buy in bulk

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Recommendations to overcome constraintsImproved packaging:

Provide a range of packaging materialsProduce products that can be sold in bulk to wholesalers to avoid need for attractive packagingProvide advice on designs of packaging and labelling

Access to appropriate equipment:Information on availability of equipment and its costTraining courses on the use of appropriate equipmentEstablishment of processor groups to purchase expensive equipmentAccess to credit facilities

Assistance with marketing of products:Provide training courses on market assessment and analysis,provide information on product prices etc. Carry out consumer surveys on preferences, packaging, labellingDevelop a brand nameEstablish a community network to improve marketingentrepreneurship

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FOLLOW UP WORK OF THE SURVEY

DFID, UK has agreed to fund the follow up work of the survey results and plans have been made for market research and pilot processing project in 3 sites of each country

In a regional meeting in Hanoi in April 2003 stakeholders agreed that the following crops should be included for phase 2 (2003-2006) of UTFANET in addition to crops of phase 1 for R&D. Accordingly two projects were developed by the stakeholders and submitted to donor agencies.

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FOLLOW UP WORK OF THE SURVEYCrops of phase 2 in addition to 3 priority species are:

Bael (Aegle marmelos),

Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana),

Durian (Durio zibethinus),

Emblic (Emblica officinalis),

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica),

Annona (sugarsop and soursop),

lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and

Guava (Psidium guajava).

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