Tropical Fruits

This document was prepared with the contributions and
support of diverse groups related to the research,
commercialization, and conservation of tropical fruits. The
exchange of ideas was achieved through individual
meetings and workshops with multidisciplinary working
groups whose ideas were molded here. The document
describes the areas in which the Tropical Fruits group at
CIAT, in cooperation with national and international
partners, will focus its research efforts to:
Improve the competitiveness of small tropical-fruit
growers and service suppliers through information
and technologies that result in sustainable practices
and production systems, thus improving access to
markets and increasing family incomes
It is absolutely clear that the impact sought will be reached,
not merely through an agenda imposed by research
centers, but also through the use of participatory
approaches, taking into account the demands of end users
and partners. An approach of solving problems and
realizing the potential of opportunities in the value chain will
be the modus operandi of the agenda described below.
To multiply the impact of research, CIAT will work with
other research organizations, educational entities, the
private sector, and development organizations. The great
diversity of fruits in Latin America (>1200 species)
represents a significant challenge, but this is equalized or
surpassed by opportunities. Hence, CIAT will not select the
species for which to develop the below proposed thematic
agendas. Instead, these will be defined by users in the
countries where such knowledge is necessary.