Synthesis: Food safety, productivity and environmental awareness as key objectives in sustainable fruit production and processing systems

Abstract

© 2007, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Research discussed in this chapter provides basic knowledge on characteristics of local fruit cultivars and the quality of products thereof. Participatory research approaches were extensively used and valuable in identifying constraints and research needs, but also limited as cooperation and openness of interview partners differed widely. The three fruit species of interest, mangoes (Mangifera indica L.), lychees (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) and longans (Dimocarpus longan Lour.), were investigated in parallel. Experimental research focused on: (1)Stabilising and extending the availability of fruits by overcoming alternate bearing of the fruit trees(2)Adjusting utilisation strategies for the above fruit species, aiming at diversification to meet natural heterogeneity in fruit size and quality.