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AGR/TAC:IAR/87/29 
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THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Forty-Fourth Meeting, Washington, D.C., 19-24 October 1987
NEW CGIAR VENTURES:
VEGETABLES RESEARCH
(Agenda Item 6 (a))
Objectives of the Discussion
TAC 42 considered that further information was needed 
to permit preparation of a proposal on vegetables research for 
submission to the CGIAR. The attached report of the consultant 
gives such information and describes a proposal.
TAC is asked to review the report of the consultant 
and to consider the implications and feasibility of his 
proposal(s) .
TAC SECRETARIAT
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
October 1987
CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
CGIAR-SUPPORTED RESEARCH ON VEGETABLES
TAC Secretariat 
October, 1987
SUMMARY 1
I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................... 3
Earlier TAC consideration of vegetable research 3
The importance of vegetables .................................. 4
The present study ....................................................... 5
II. THE STATUS OF VEGETABLE RESEARCH PROGRAMS 6
Asia ................................................................. 7
Latin America ............................................... 9
Africa ............................................................. 11
Prospective collaborators ........................ 12
III. PRIORITY SPECIES AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 13
Tomato ........................................................... 16
Peppers ......................................................... 17
Onion ............................................................. 17
Leafy green vegetables ............................ 17
Eggplant ....................................................... 18
Okra ............................................................... 19
Heat tolerance in other species .......... 19
Social science research .......................... 19
Seed production research ........................ 20
Post-harvest problems .............................. 20
Interactions with nutrition .................. 21
Training ....................................................... 22
Information services ................................ 23
IV. RELATIONSHIPS WITH AVRDC 24
V. SOME COMMENTS ON NETWORKING 25
VI. THE PROPOSED NETWORK ................................................. 27
Geographic versus subject-matter organization 27
Network membership ................................................. 28
Network planning ..................................................... 28
Network alternatives over time .......................... 29
VII. THE COORDINATING BODY ............................................. 30
Name ........................................................................... 30
Functions ................................................................. 30
Location--principles ........................................... 31
Location--specifics ............................................. 31
Research activities of the coordinating body 33
VIII ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE .................................. 35
Board of Trustees ........................................... 35
Senior staff ..................................................... 35
Duration ............................................................. 37
Contracts with network members and others 37
Funding needs ................................................... 38
IX. OTHER ISSUES . 40
Alternatives 40
Phasing .... 41
Next steps . 42
ANNEXES
CGIAR-SUPPORTED RESEARCH ON VEGETABLES
SUMMARY
1. This paper proposes that the Consultative Group on International 
Agricultural Research create an entity to foster research on vegetable crops 
for the tropics and to encourage the transfer of technology among developing 
countries. The new entity would aim to maximize the use of existing
resources both as regards scientific personnel and physical facilities, It
would stimulate research by funding contracts with existing institutions, by 
employing scientists to participate directly in specific research projects, 
and by organizing related training and communication activities.
2. The proposal envisions the establishment of a central coordinating 
body that would develop a collaborative research network for several impor­
tant vegetables. The term "collaborative research network" is taken to mean 
a network in which representatives of participating organizations develop a 
strategic plan to be carried out under the leadership of a coordinator using 
resources from the participants and funds provided by or through the coor­
dinating body. It is proposed that there be one worldwide vegetable 
research network and that it be divided into commodity programs. The 
research staff working on a commodity would predominantly consist of scien­
tists in national research programs working at their home institutions.
They would be supplemented by staff of the new entity, and their efforts 
further augmented by contract arrangements with advanced laboratories. The 
commodity programs would be coordinated by the staff of the new entity. In 
addition it is proposed that there be regional working groups to deal with 
topics that cut across commodity lines within a region, such as training, 
social science research, seed production, and post-harvest management.
3. It is recommended that the headquarters of the coordinating body be 
located in Asia. This region has a number of active, growing institutions 
engaged in vegetable research that would provide a strong base for a net­
working approach. The region also has the largest and most concentrated 
population, and vegetable production is widespread and long established.
4. It is proposed that the coordinating body will from the outset have 
a sub-base in Africa to help expand vegetable research in that continent. 
The Africa Unit would lead research on leafy green vegetables and would 
foster transfer of technology arising elsewhere in the network. The possi­
bility of a sub-base in Latin America should receive early consideration.
Prepared by A. Colin McClung, Regional Representative, Asia, of Winrock 
International, acting as consultant to the Technical Advisory Committee. 
September 30, 1987.
5. The relationship of AVRDC to the new entity is seen to be that of a 
major member of the network. AVRDC is well organized to handle functions 
such as basic germplasm storage for the network; maintenance of a compu­
terized bibliographic service; leadership for germplasm evaluation and 
improvement for selected crops particularly for disease and insect resis­
tance and adaptation to tropical growing conditions; and joint responsi­
bility for training programs in vegetable research and production, seed 
technology, and other subjects. AVRDC, while being a strong member of the 
network, would independently continue its research on certain commodities 
and in certain subject-matter areas.
6. It is recommended that the research program of the new organization 
focus on tomatoes, peppers, onions, okra, eggplant, and leafy green 
vegetables. The work on leafy green vegetables would initially consist of 
screening a large number of species, followed by in-depth research on 
selected ones. Leguminous vegetables may require some attention as well, 
however several international centers whose mandated crops have cultivars
consumed as vegetables are now studying those cultivars or are planning to 
do so. In the network, initial emphasis would be on assembling germplasm 
from various institutions and on screening cultivars particularly for insect 
and disease resistance and tolerance to hot weather. Attention would then
be given to breeding for improvement in yield and quality, It should be
noted that actual delineation of the research program is the responsibility 
of the network itself working through the coordinating body, Statements
made in this report should not be seen as depriving them of this 
responsibility.
7. Two types of research costs are identified: those relating to the 
coordination function, including workshops, travelling seminars, communi­
cation and monitoring and evaluation, and those relating to research 
implementation, including headquarters research. It is proposed that the 
first type would be fully funded from the core budget of the coordinating 
body. Supplemental funds to permit more active participation of national 
research units in the research network would also be provided from the core 
funds of the coordinating body. All funds provided by the coordinating body 
would be through contract with the collaborating organization. Collab­
orating units would be expected to maintain a certain level of activity, to 
express a commitment to the network for identified objectives and periods of 
time, and to permit monitoring of finances and evaluation of results. 
Contracts would also be made with specialized laboratories and other 
especially qualified units in the developed countries to provide specific 
research services. Training costs would also be funded by the coordinating 
body.
8. Past proposals for the founding of a CGIAR-funded organization to
deal with vegetables have suggested various names and acronyms. Some
possible names are presented in this report for consideration by the TAC.
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I. INTRODUCTION
Earlier TAC consideration of vegetable research
9. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Consultative Group on 
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has long recognized the impor­
tance of research to improve vegetable production in developing countries. 
Since the early 1970s, a number of possible institutional arrangements for 
achieving this have been considered, including the formation of an 
"International Vegetable Research Institute" modeled on other international 
agricultural research centers, an "International Vegetable Research Pilot 
Project," and an "International Council for Tropical Vegetable Research." 
Less formally, TAC has also discussed strengthening individual national 
programs, establishing a network among national programs, using existing 
international centers, or establishing an international board similar to 
IBPGR. (Annex A summarizes these deliberations.) While TAC continues to 
attach considerable importance and priority to vegetables, the principal 
contribution of the CGIAR system to date has been through IBPGR projects and 
farming systems work in several international centers.
10. A review of TAC's discussions and those of the CGIAR suggest an 
inherent concern that a subject as complex as that of vegetable research 
does not lend itself well to the international-center approach. By the end 
of the 1970s, when vegetable research needs were being evaluated, it 
appeared that centers that had one or two mandated crops were making more 
rapid progress than those with more commodities. For vegetables, the list 
of potentially researchable crops is long. In addition, the methods of 
production and even the uses of a particular vegetable vary from place to 
place, perhaps making the group even more difficult to manage than the crops 
now under study at the international centers. The success of vegetable 
crops research organizations in many countries around the world, however, 
attests to the fact that these problems, though real, are not insur­
mountable. A carefully focused research agenda, combined with good 
communication with research units elsewhere, has enabled them to deal with 
this diversity. The demonstrated capacity of many vegetable producers to 
accept and adapt new technology has no doubt been a factor in the substan­
tial impact that the work of vegetable researchers has had.
11. The May 1986 TAC priority paper stated:
"TAC considers that research on tropical vegetables is a neglected field 
in which considerable impact could be made. The rapid growth of towns 
serves to increase pressure on land use in surrounding areas. In these 
circumstances, vegetable production becomes profitable and can absorb 
urban labor. Briefly, the main considerations include:
projected demands are greater than those indicated from production
increases alone and come from social status;
demands are particularly high from urban dwellers;
vegetables generate high income for small holders;
they fill nutrition gaps (especially minerals and vitamins);
there is limited research by national systems;
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some research on vegetables is already included in Center programs 
(e.g. green beans at CIAT and vegetable cowpeas at IITA); 
vegetables fit a variety of cropping systems."
12. In January 1986, the conference "Research and Development of 
Vegetables in the Tropics" was organized by Winrock International 
independently of TAC and the CGIAR. A TAC member who participated in the 
conference reported on it at TAC 39. The TAC chairman suggested that the 
report of the conference could serve as a useful input to TAC's delib­
erations on the vegetable research priorities and on the organization of 
vegetable research.
13. The basic organizational structure proposed by the participants in 
the Winrock conference was a network in which research needs would be
determined jointly by national research systems and a small internationally 
funded coordinating body, or secretariat, and the work would be carried out 
jointly. This approach would permit a larger number of commodities to be 
studied and would extend the environmental range beyond that possible for 
any one international center. Several international centers have used the 
networking concept to test and to extend results of their work. Networking 
as a primary source of research data was seen by Winrock participants as 
feasible when participating national systems collectively have a fairly 
extensive base of technical personnel. The input of the national research 
systems would be reinforced by contract research arranged by a small staff 
of professionals of the coordinating body.
The importance of vegetables
14. In its earlier studies of possible support to vegetable research, 
TAC made a number of observations concerning the importance of vegetables 
for human nutrition and in generating income for small farmers. These 
remain valid and deserve full consideration in current deliberations.
Instead of repeating those analyses in the present study, tables from the 
1979 TAC document (AGD/TAC: IAR/79/17) proposing the creation of a vegetable 
research center appear in Annex B. Tables 1 to 3 deal with nutritional 
content of various vegetable species. These tables are useful background 
for comparing vegetables with other commodities in terms of their contri­
bution to diets. They are also of help in deciding which species should 
receive priority in a an international research agenda for vegetable's.
Table 4 is the same as one included in the earlier TAC report, but is 
updated to 1984. It gives world production figures for vegetables and was 
provided by Dr. Chamnien Boonma of Thailand.
15. Drawing on data in the tables on nutritional value and on other 
data provided to them by the earlier review missions, TAC in 1979 appointed 
a subcommittee to develop a list of "First priority vegetables suggested for 
international research." This is Table 5 of Annex B and was an important 
discussion piece in the present mission. All of these tables are basic to 
the current study and should be considered an integral part of the report.
16. The earlier reports observed that vegetables are consumed by most 
people in the developing countries and that they make important contri­
butions to tropical diets. In particular they enrich the vitamin and
4
mineral content of diets, but they may also significantly raise dietary 
protein levels. The 1979 report concludes that "vegetables are vitally 
important in the diets of the majority of people in developing countries 
and, notwithstanding regional differences in preferences for type of 
vegetables, there is a real need for a substantial increase in average daily 
consumption."
17. In a recent paper, Dr. Henry M. Munger points out that many 
vegetable crops have been underrated as sources of energy and protein 
because of their high water content. They have also been overlooked as a 
source of protein and energy because many of the most nutritious ones can be 
harvested soon after they are planted, and this has seldom been taken into 
account when comparing yields. Tables 6 and 7 of the Annex B summarize his 
calculations of calorie and protein production per unit area per day. The 
picture that emerges is that a number of vegetables are as efficient in 
producing both energy and protein as the leading staple food crops. He 
comments that "This is not to suggest that these vegetables with high water 
content can become a major source of calories or protein, but rather that to 
the extent we would like to see these crops grown to provide vitamins and 
minerals, they are paying their way in calories, protein, or both, and 
providing the other nutrients as a bonus."
18. The earlier TAC reports note that vegetable growing is labor inten­
sive and that increased vegetable production can expand employment in rural 
areas. Vegetable farmers tend to earn higher incomes than most other types 
of farmers because of their intensive land use and the relatively high value 
of the crops. Vegetable consumption is greater in urban areas than in rural 
ones and is substantially income constrained. In rural areas, the possi­
bility of producing for home consumption is a way to bypass the income 
constraint, and it offers an opportunity to improve nutrition with rela­
tively little cost cash outlay.
The present study
19. At its 42nd meeting in March 1987, the TAC endorsed in principle 
the recommendation of the Winrock conference to establish an entity based on 
networks. TAC felt, however, that the designation of the entity as a 
"secretariat" implied that it would carry out a staff function rather than a 
managerial or leadership one. TAC called for an in-house capacity for 
research by the coordinating body in association with the research network. 
Nevertheless, the network would accomplish most of its research and related 
training activities through a decentralized structure involving collab­
oration with national and regional institutions including AVRDC.
20. On April 24, 1987, the Chairman of TAC wrote to Winrock 
International to determine if the latter could work with TAC in assessing 
the current conditions in tropical vegetable research and in planning a 
possible CGIAR-sponsored vegetable research undertaking.
21. The President of Winrock International agreed on May 12, 1987. The 
TAC Chairman's letter asked that the Winrock-supplied consultant prepare a 
report for consideration by TAC that would include a draft proposal 
covering :
5
priority vegetable species 
major research areas
potential cooperating institutions in both developing and
developed countries
the specific role of AVRDC
mechanisms of implementation
location and research scope of the coordinating body 
funding needs
22. It was decided that the Consultant would visit or contact key 
vegetable research centers and individuals in Latin America, Africa, and 
Asia to re-examine many of the questions that had been considered by earlier 
TAC missions. While time constraints and other limitations precluded a 
comprehensive survey, the aim was to gain a clearer understanding of the 
current situation and the level of interest in international vegetable 
research. Visits were made to vegetable research centers in Mexico, Brazil, 
Nigeria, Kenya, China, India, Thailand, Taiwan, USA, Netherlands, and Japan.
23. In addition, one-day conferences were arranged in The Netherlands, 
Nigeria, India, and Thailand. Participants included persons from Germany, 
The Netherlands, USA, Belgium, UK, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, India, Kenya, 
Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Japan. 
Other potential collaborators were contacted by telephone and mail to 
acquaint them with the study and to solicit views and expressions of 
possible interest. Knowledgeable persons in various organizations were 
contacted as secondary sources of information about current activities in 
other countries. These organizations included FAO, IICA, TAC, various 
international centers, universities, and government agencies. A number of 
private vegetable seed producers were interviewed. A name and address list 
of some 250 persons interviewed on this subject accompanies this report. 
While none of this information is deemed as definitive or to constitute a 
commitment, it does provide a linkage with past studies by TAC and the CGIAR 
and a basis for more specific determinations in the future.
II. THE STATUS OF VEGETABLE RESEARCH PROGRAMS
24. The situation in the developing countries regarding vegetable 
research is an interesting one. Almost all the research programs are new, 
yet they are intended to assist an industry based on production practices 
that often go back to very early times. This same industry has, however, 
demonstrated an amazing capacity to pick up new ideas and put them into 
practice.
25. In the post-war years, the developing countries have focused their 
limited research budgets on basic foodstuffs, particularly cereals, and have 
largely ignored the vegetables. This was understandable in that the basic 
commodities are produced on a large scale and the increase in total food 
output that might be expected to result from an investment in research is 
correspondingly higher. But vegetables tend to be high-value crops. Willem 
Janssen of CIAT points out (private communication) that green beans may have 
a value per hectare that is seven to ten times higher than the value of dry
6
beans of the same species, Similar relationships exist for other crops 
within the vegetable group, Farmers around the world have learned this on
their own and, when well situated in respect to market centers, have forged 
ahead with production of vegetables.
26. Vegetable growers tend to be avid seekers of new technology. If 
there is no local research output, they find it where they can. Without 
obvious lines of communication, new materials and new ideas have moved to 
remote places. These farmers can afford larger cash outlays and are willing 
to pay premium prices for seeds and fertilizers, as well as to invest more 
in labor. With this kind of driving force, some remarkable changes have 
taken place in recent decades. New crops have been adopted where they were 
not known before and old ones are being produced in new ways. The dark side 
of this phenomenon is that vegetable farmers can also spend more for 
pesticides and may do so to the point of creating an environmental hazard.
It is worth noting, however, that some farmers in Southeast Asia, are start­
ing to protect some of their high value crops with fine-mesh nets, thus 
reducing the need for insecticides.
27. During this period of change in production systems, a number of 
developing countries started new vegetable research programs or up-dated and 
expanded older ones. Although the situation varies from region to region as 
well as within regions, the general level of staff capability and support 
resources is substantially better than it was when the last TAC missions 
reported. It is not unreasonable to suppose that once these programs are 
fully in operation, new and appropriate technology will find ready 
acceptance by farmers and quickly make an impact on production and use of 
vegetables.
28. The purpose of the survey undertaken here was not to assess 
individual institutions or national programs, but rather to determine 
whether conditions appear propitious for linking a number of institutions 
into a collaborative research network. It was also hoped that a closer look 
at existing activities would suggest how a network might best be organized. 
Could one network serve all interests or are conditions and goals suffi­
ciently varied so that this would be impractical? The survey also, it was 
thought, might shed light on where to locate the new coordinating body and 
on how it might best be staffed.
Asia
29. Asia has a long history of vegetable usage, and it is also a region 
with great size and density of population. A high degree of urbanization, 
which associates with higher vegetable consumption, also characterizes the 
region. Most Asian countries have been moving to strengthen their national 
research systems over the past decade or two. It is not surprising 
therefore, to find that Asia overall has a substantial effort under way in 
vegetable research.
30. India and China are indeed special cases in terms of activities 
with vegetables because of their immense populations and their traditional 
consumption of vegetables as a major part of the diet. They are each 
actively engaged in vegetable research and plan to expand their work. China
7
cooperates with the AVRDC program based in Thailand, and India receives and 
tests material from AVRDC.
31. India's vegetable research is carried out at a number of insti­
tutions funded by the central government, including the Indian Horticultural 
Research Center at Bangalore and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. 
Work is done at a number of agricultural universities and other state-level 
institutions and by several private seed companies. The All-India 
Coordinated Vegetable Improvement Project (AICVIP) coordinates the work of 
many of these organizations. At present India is up-grading AICVIP from the 
status of a project to that of a directorate. Officials of the Indian 
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), under which AICVIP operates, 
indicate that this change in status will result in more in-house research 
capacity. ICAR is also planning a central onion research institute, which 
will enable more intensive research on this crop than is now possible.
32. In China the Vegetable Research Institute functions under the 
auspices of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The institute, 
located in Beijing, has a professional staff of about 240, of whom about 100 
have the equivalent of at least a master's degree. Its work is divided into 
vegetable breeding, vegetable production, plant protection, and germplasm 
maintenance. Among the most important crops here are peppers, tomatoes, 
cabbage, Chinese cabbage, and cucumbers. Onion is considered less 
important. There are 29 provincial academies for agricultural research in 
China, one in each province, and each of these has a horticultural depart­
ment doing research on vegetables. The crop species under study at each is 
determined by local conditions. Also, many of the larger cities have 
vegetable research institutes that deal with both production and marketing 
problems. There are other vegetable research activities at several agri­
cultural universities. The authorities at the Vegetable Research Institute 
indicate that they are very interested in international cooperation, 
mentioning plant breeding, germplasm exchange, vegetable production, and 
tissue culture as particularly important.
33. Thailand does vegetable research under the Ministry of Agriculture 
and at several agricultural universities. Kasetsart University hosts a 
cooperative program with AVRDC. There is also an active private vegetable 
seed industry. Plans are under way to consolidate various Kasetsart 
activities and to add new ones to create a national vegetable center at the 
Kamphaengsaen Campus. Program activities will include breeding and 
genetics, crop management, post-harvest and seed technology, and farm-scale 
agro-industry. There will be an outreach arm to include training, mar­
keting, and extension. The center will include research on "export" and on 
"domestic" commodities. The former include baby corn, asparagus, yard-long 
beans, and mung bean for sprouts, while the latter cover tomato, peppers, 
squash, and onion.
34. In Bangladesh, vegetable research is done at the Bangladesh 
Agricultural Research Institute. It has invested substantially in 
developing physical facilities and in training staff. Serious consideration 
is being given to expanding this program and developing it into a horti­
cultural research institute.
8
35. The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute is 
actively engaged in vegetable research focusing on pests and diseases, 
varietal improvement, and post-harvest and processing problems.
36. In the Philippines, the national research council has assigned a 
lead role in vegetable research to the University of the Philippines at Los 
Banos. It also has been an active post-harvest research unit. Work on
vegetables is under way at a number of other institutions.
37. Pakistan's research on vegetables is done within the Ministry of 
Agriculture and by provincial institutions. They are concerned with home 
gardens and with commercial production for the domestic market and for 
export. Production problems include lack of local supplies of good seed 
even though conditions would permit seed to be produced in some parts of the 
country. Storage and marketing problems are significant. Major constraints 
to vegetable exports are seen to be lack of grading, poor packing, incon­
sistent supplies, lack of a market information, and lack of marketing 
experience.
38. In Indonesia, vegetable research by the Agency for Agricultural 
Research and Development is divided into two main undertakings : one for 
"highland" vegetables and one for tropical vegetables. The former has had 
priority, but work at low humid tropical sites is being expanded under a 
project supported by bilateral aid from the Netherlands. Indonesian 
authorities have expressed keen interest in expanding international 
cooperation and have outlined a network approach that they feel would be 
particularly valuable at this time. Indonesia's research recognizes the 
importance of two main types of vegetables, which they identify as "mixed 
garden" and "commercial." The latter is a relatively new feature of 
Indonesian agriculture. Home gardens are traditional and highly important 
to nutrition in rural areas.
39. Both Nepal and Burma have taken steps to include vegetable research
on their national research agendas.
40. The Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute and several other Taiwan 
agencies undertake vegetable research. They have focused on developing 
fully integrated production, marketing, and processing systems and have 
generated materials and procedures that have been widely adopted elsewhere.
41. The Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center is an inter­
nationally funded organization located in Taiwan. It is modeled after the 
international centers of the CGIAR system and is discussed later in this 
report. The AVRDC mandate focuses on Asia, but its genetic materials and 
production technology have found application in other continents.
Latin America
42. Countries of Latin America offer some interesting contrasts in the 
objectives of the vegetable sector and in research approach. Mexico 
produces vegetables for its own market and during winter exports substantial 
quantities to the United States. Some of the research benefits only the 
vegetable exporters, but most of it pays off for producers throughout
9
Mexico. Research in other regions of Mexico focuses on domestic production.
While home gardens have been promoted in Mexico, the vegetable industry 
itself is increasingly commercially oriented.
43. In the Central American countries, the vegetable industry has 
developed primarily to meet local demand but also for export during the 
winter season in the temperate zone. They have some environmental niches 
that are particularly favorable to certain vegetables that may be processed 
for export.
44. The Andean countries are oriented to meeting domestic vegetable 
needs. A wide variety of climatic conditions are created by the mountainous 
terrain, and almost all temperate zone vegetables can be produced one place 
or another. However, transportation problems often restrict commercial 
vegetable growing to areas near urban centers.
45. The Caribbean countries have great need to increase their pro­
duction of vegetables and a substantial capacity to do so. Import 
substitution in support of the tourist industry is proving lucrative as is 
export to the U.S. market during certain times of the year. But the 
greatest challenge is to foster domestic consumption of local production.
46. Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru all have established 
research systems that are capable of independently meeting many of their 
needs, but even the major commodities that they have researched for years 
have benefited from cooperative research along network lines. The possi­
bilities for vegetable improvement by this route are especially attractive 
because the number of technical personnel available to work on vegetables is 
small and the list of vegetables of interest is long.
47. Brazil has large and burgeoning urban centers and a vegetable 
industry that has grown phenomenally over the past 30 years. It is based on 
making use of sites near urban centers for commercial vegetable production 
supplemented by supplies shipped in from major producing areas in the semi- 
arid northeast and the temperate zone of the south. Exporting from the 
northeast is thought to have major potential. Much of the central part of 
the country has sufficient altitude to ameliorate temperature conditions 
somewhat, and hence it produce temperate-zone vegetables. In the equatorial 
north, however, altitudes are low and humid tropical conditions prevail, 
which limit production to traditional species of the tropics.
48. EMBRAPA, the semi-autonomous national research organization created 
by Brazil over the past 15 years, supports all major production including 
vegetables. Several state-level institutions are also active in vegetable 
research. Brazil's vegetable research benefits substantially from the work 
of private seed producers and from a producers' cooperative. EMBRAPA will 
soon launch a technical cooperation project with vegetables supported by the 
Japan International Cooperation Agency.
49. Argentina and Chile both have national research systems that 
include work on vegetables. Their interests tend to be in subtropical and 
temperate-zone production.
10
Africa
50. Until recently, horticultural research and instruction in Africa 
have been considered as a part of agriculture generally and not as a 
separate discipline or area of study. This pattern was established during 
the colonial period and has only started to change within the past 10 to 15 
years. Thus much of the work on vegetables has been done by persons with 
backgrounds in botany, genetics, or general agriculture. The establishment 
of departments of horticulture in several universities has tended to change 
this orientation as has the establishment of horticultural experiment 
stations by several ministries of agriculture. Increased attention to 
vegetable production and marketing has been stimulated by the potential to 
export fresh produce to Europe during the winter season.
51. Vegetable research in Nigeria is being done by the universities and 
the research institutes that they control and by the National Horticultural 
Research Institute (NIHORT). The latter, which is under the Ministry of 
Agriculture, received substantial support from FAO when it was started in 
the mid-1970s. IITA had a vegetable research program at one time, and 
concern with vegetables continues in the farming systems work of IITA. It 
has collaborated with AVRDC in practical vegetable production. While 
Nigeria is short of trained scientists and there are current stresses on 
research budgets, the importance of vegetable research is well recognized, 
and there is a framework on which to build. Research priorities include 
home gardens as well as commercial production. Leafy green vegetables are a 
high priority in Nigeria.
52. In 1972 the government of Senegal founded the Center for the 
Development of Horticulture (CDH) and gave it responsibility for vegetable 
research. It has benefited from UNDP and FAO support and participation.
Its multidisciplinary staff concerns itself with production and marketing 
problems for a range of crops for domestic consumption and for export. 
Through integration with an extension/training service, it determines what 
problems are faced by farmers and adjusts its research program accordingly. 
The same linkage is then used to transfer new technology to the field. The 
CDH would be a strong link in a collaborative research network.
53. Kenya has a strong interest in vegetable production both for home 
consumption and for commercial markets. In addition to the domestic market, 
significant exports are made to Europe during the winter season. Research 
is conducted by the University of Nairobi and the National Horticultural 
Research Station at Thika. The latter is funded under the Ministry of 
Agriculture and is responsible for fruits as well as vegetables. Kenyan 
research interests run the gamut from temperate-zone vegetables for the 
highlands to traditional and introduced species for the lowland tropics. 
There is a need for more trained staff and improved levels of support, but 
the basis for participation in collaborative activities is there.
54. Tanzania has an extensive network of experiment stations, two of 
which have responsibility for research on vegetable crops. The experiment 
stations identified for vegetable work provide a range of ecologies from 
temperate to subtropical and with varying moisture regimes, often in close 
proximity to one another. The Horticultural Research and Training Institute
11
at Tengeru, near Arusha, works on indigenous and temperate vegetables and 
conducts a 2-year horticultural diploma course. The institute has been 
helped by a Dutch aid project. Tengeru, situated at 1250 meters elevation, 
has done work on seed production. With the proximity of Mt. Meru and Mt. 
Kilimanjaro, it has access to high-altitude areas for seed production 
studies and to warmer, low-altitude locations at nearby experiment stations. 
The Uyole Agricultural Center near Mbeya in the south of the country, at 
about 1800 meters elevation, has worked on temperate vegetables. The 
potential for doing vegetable research in Tanzania is good.
55. Vegetable production is significant in Sudan both in home gardens 
and in larger plantings. Important commercial crops include tomato, 
eggplant, onion, cucurbits, and peppers. These plus okra and a number of 
leafy vegetables are found in home gardens. Vegetable research is the 
responsibility of the Agricultural Research Corporation, which is head­
quartered at Wad Medani. It conducts research at five stations along the 
Nile Valley and at four in Western Sudan. All of them work on onions and 
tomatoes; six also include okra; four include hot peppers; and three, 
eggplant. A national coordinator of horticultural research has been 
appointed to improve cooperation and focus among these widely scattered 
stations.
Prospective collaborators
56. There is no doubt that vegetable research programs in the devel­
oping countries are at a stage where they would benefit from a collaborative 
research network. If such a network is established, it is apparent that 
most developing countries would want to associate with it. The greatest 
concentration of current interest, level of staffing, etc., exists in Asia, 
but there are also centers of strength in Latin America and Africa. The 
distribution of interest or capacity to deal with specific issues is such 
that certain activities might be based in any one of these continents. It 
should be reiterated that most of the programs and institutions doing 
vegetable research are young. Many programs that are now considered out­
standing did not exist 20 years ago. By the same token, those that are not 
now able to carry out the desired level of research can rectify the situa­
tion if they seriously undertake human resource development activities.
Since many countries have substantially improved their basic foodstuff 
situation in recent years, the time is favorable for building strength in 
vegetable crops.
57. A great deal of enthusiasm for an international vegetable research 
network was also encountered among scientists at research centers in the 
developed countries. No attempt was made to obtain a formal expression of 
interest, but there is no doubt that such could be obtained. To name a few, 
senior officials of the following institutions attended conferences or were 
interviewed about the proposed new initiative and all responded with their 
time, professional inputs, and personal enthusiasm: The National Vegetable 
Research Station, UK; The Institute for Horticultural Plant Breeding, 
Netherlands; Cornell University, USA; Rutgers University, USA; The 
Agricultural University, Netherlands; and the National Research Institute 
for Vegetables, Ornamental Plants, and Tea (NIVOT), Japan. Each of these 
organizations, and many more like them, would probably be willing to provide
12
specialized research services under contract and in all probability to do it 
at a lower cost than the new entity could do it itself. This would be true 
partly because the capital costs for establishing these advanced research 
laboratories have already been settled, but also because these organizations 
often have vegetable research interests in common with those of the devel­
oping countries. For example, NIVOT investigates a wide range of species 
including tomatoes, peppers, and onions. As part of its extensive cyto­
genetic studies on disease resistance, Japan has cooperated with Malaysia in 
the project "Joint research on biotechnical development of tropical micro­
organisms and plants." Under this project, they gathered and screened 
genetic resources of tomato, eggplant, pepper, and their wild relatives. 
NIVOT's cell and tissue culture program, supplements and supports this work. 
NIVOT's protoplast culture work has reached the stage that researchers are 
now able to regenerate plants of a number of these crops and their wild 
relatives from cell culture. The scientists expressed strong interest in 
cooperating on this and other lines of research. Thus biotechnical 
approaches to vegetable crop improvement might be undertaken by the new 
organization through cooperating laboratories with a minimum loss of time 
and at considerable savings.
58. Other organizations that could be helpful are FAO, several of the 
international centers, and various private organizations. FAO has carried 
out technical cooperation projects in the past and currently has some 15 
separate vegetable projects in the field. FAO personnel have a broad 
knowledge of the subject worldwide and have been cordial in offering to help 
this initiative. Several of the international agricultural research centers 
should be viewed as special kinds of collaborators. Some do research on 
root crops that are considered to be vegetables by many of the developing 
countries. Some research grain legumes whose immature form can be used as a 
vegetable. The network concept being discussed here should lend itself to 
using this kind of support.
III. PRIORITY SPECIES AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
59. Perhaps the most troublesome problem facing the manager of vege­
table crops research is how to deal with a wide array of species 
efficiently. Most research systems in developing countries have only a 
handful of scientists to work on vegetable crops, but a long list of crops 
of interest to farmers, government, and consumers. All too often programs 
become bogged down with too many crops and too few scientists, and in the 
end do little research. The most successful research programs concentrate 
on a relatively few commodities and aim merely to keep abreast of new 
technology for the bulk of the species that are of interest to their 
clients. When they receive inquiries or encounter problems with these 
crops, they may be able to offer help through published results or by 
knowing specialists elsewhere who may have pertinent information. A 
research entity run along these lines will regularly review its progress 
toward specific objectives and will, from time to time, alter its research 
agenda by suspending research on one commodity and taking it up on another. 
While some major commodities can remain on the priority list indefinitely, 
most vegetable crops in developing countries must be dealt with less 
thoroughly simply because of their large number and relatively small
13
economic value, This management procedure is recommended for the new entity
and the network it supports.
60. The earlier TAC reports listed various criteria for selection of 
vegetables to be studied. Key considerations included general economic 
value, geographic distribution, nutritional value, potential for improve­
ment, and present level of research. The TAC Secretariat report of March 
1979, "Proposal for the Creation of an International Center for Vegetable 
Research", contains a table rating 15 vegetables in these categories. It 
called for research on leafy green vegetables, leguminous vegetables, 
solanaceous crops, and on a group of "others" consisting of onions, cucur­
bits, okra, and cabbage. The table is reproduced in the Annex B as Table 5. 
It was reviewed for this study with horticulturists and others around the 
world and was seen as generally acceptable at this time. A few investi­
gators felt, however, that some of the ratings on level of research were too 
high if only tropical research is considered.
61. The report of the appraisal mission on which the 1979 proposal was 
based made a number of additional comments on vegetable species on which 
accelerated research was indicated. Some the report is reproduced here 
because current interviews confirmed much of it and it is highly pertinent 
to this proposal:
"Tomatoes rank at or near the top among the species for which additional 
research is needed. They were identified for the first priority by 
nutritionists, horticulturists, and government policy makers alike in 
every country visited. A scientific base for rapid improvement of the 
tomato is available because more is known of its genetics than of any 
other vegetable: large germplasm collections are available, and the main 
characteristics needed to improve tomatoes throughout the tropics are 
already known to exist, namely resistance to fusarium and bacterial 
wilts, nematode and virus resistance, and ability to set fruit at high 
temperatures. The results of combining these features into a single 
variety will improve tomato production at all levels from the home 
garden to large scale production for fresh market and for processing. 
Eggplant, or brinjal (Solanum melongena). and peppers, or chilies 
(Capsicum sp.), are also extremely important vegetables in the tropics 
and, as members of the same family as tomatoes, they share some of its 
disease and insect problems. It is apparent, therefore, that these 
crops warrant attention along with the mainstream of research on 
tomatoes." (From Appraisal Report, Paragraph 14, DDDR's IAR/76, January 
1976)
"While vegetables have long been regarded as rich in vitamins and 
minerals, it has not been appreciated until recently that some of them, 
such as the leafy greens, are capable of producing protein and calories 
at rates equal to those of the most efficient staple crops. There is a 
growing awareness that vegetables are a main source of some essential 
vitamins for most people in the tropics and hence should not be con­
sidered as optional foods. Neither should they be regarded as luxury 
foods because many of them pay their way in terms of calories and 
protein production while providing a free supply of vitamins and 
minerals. The need for the nutrients supplied by vegetables is 
especially great among the poorer rural people in the tropics who can
14
afford relatively little meat, but who in general consume grossly 
inadequate quantities of vegetables. Leafy green vegetables of the 
tropics should have priority almost equal to tomatoes. Probably no 
other single group of crops, vegetable or otherwise, can equal their 
ability to produce high yields of calories, proteins, vitamins, and 
minerals simultaneously.
Some of them can produce a marketable crop in as little time as three 
weeks or their harvest can be deferred for some time while greater 
yields accumulate. Successive harvest can be made from the same 
planting. This flexibility in harvesting makes them well suited for 
intercropping and relay cropping.... The leafy greens may well 
represent the greatest unexploited food resource of the world and as 
such would deserve first priority for research were it not for the 
universal demand for more and better tomatoes." (From Appraisal Report, 
Paragraphs 13, 15, and 63 DDDR's IAR/76, January 1976)
62. At the Winrock conference, it was noted that the research agendas 
of several CGIAR centers include grain legumes and that they might be 
encouraged to include evaluation and improvement of vegetable cultivars of 
these crops in their investigations. Visits to two of the centers, IITA and 
ICRISAT, and correspondence with CIAT, revealed that they are already 
investigating these crops as vegetables or are giving serious consideration 
to doing so. The coordinating body might have a useful role in improving 
linkages between these centers and various national vegetable research 
organizations, but would not need to include vegetable legumes in its own 
initial research plan. Likewise, it is noted that several of the inter­
national centers include vegetables as part of their research on farming 
systems for the climatic zones with which they are concerned. For this 
reason, it does not appear that the new network will have to include farming 
systems research on its own research agenda.
63. The 1985 TAC priorities paper suggested that CGIAR support should 
be limited initially to approximately six species. Consideration should be 
given to: Amaranthus spp., Ceiosia spp., okra, tomatoes, onions, and 
Capsicum spp. The paper said the choice of species should depend on 
relevance to the specific region and their consumers, or suitability for 
research on an international scale, and on prospects of payoff. Attention 
was also drawn to the need to consider the conditions for rapid transfer and 
application of research results, particularly in establishing regional 
priorities.
64. In the present study, each scientist and administrator interviewed 
was asked to list six priority species that he felt should be studied. 
Interestingly, every person included tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Many 
also listed okra, eggplant, and cucurbits, including certain gourds with 
long shelf life.
65. The views on leafy green vegetables were not as consistent. In 
Africa, they were discussed as being of higher priority than any of the 
others. Among the leafy greens, amaranthus was seen as quite important, but 
there appeared to be no strong consensus on which crops of this group should 
be emphasized. From locality to locality, there are major differences in 
popularity. In Asia leafy green vegetables were seen as important but 
perhaps less in need of research than the other crops listed. In Latin
15
American countries visited, they were placed well below the others in terms 
of research priority. This may be because they are primarily grown in home 
gardens and do not enter much into commerce in major centers. Their use may 
have declined as urbanization has proceeded.
66. The legacy of TAC's prior deliberations on what species should be 
researched, combined with current readings on priorities within existing 
programs, provides a good base on which to outline an initial program for 
the proposed new organization. The limitation of six species seems 
reasonable and in consonance with the management philosophy expressed at the 
start of this section. It is further recommended that the final decision on 
which crops to address at the outset should be one of the first subjects 
considered by the prospective participants in the network.
67. Likewise, decisions on which subjects are to be researched (heat 
tolerance, disease resistance, vegetable quality, etc.) will be a topic for 
joint decision by prospective collaborators. The key questions in this 
regard should be decided during the formative phase while the new 
organization is being established by the CGIAR. More specific proposals set 
forth in this report should not be seen as depriving future collaborators 
and management of their role in these basic decisions. Rather, they should 
be seen as a response of the consultant to the need to outline a program for 
preliminary consideration.
Tomato
68. The tomato heads the list of species desired by populations in the 
tropics. The things said about its popularity and role in the market place 
and in diets remain true. Progress has been made in its tropicalization, 
but more remains to be done. The varieties best suited to hot weather are 
generally poor producers of seed under hot conditions, though they have a 
normal seed level when grown in cooler weather. Thus the seed suppliers 
must grow them in a cooler location to produce seed, but seed multiplication 
may be hindered by diseases that occur in a cool environment but not in a 
hot one.
69. The difficulties presented by viruses in hot climates have proven 
to be more complex than was envisioned in the earlier TAC review. It 
appears that interspecific hybridization will be required in order to deal 
adequately with some of the virus diseases. This offers an example of the 
kind of problem for which the proposed new organization could be 
particularly useful. A coordinated effort can be envisioned in which 
advanced laboratories in Japan, Europe, and the United States contract to 
work on some aspects of the problem while virus specialists in India, 
Brazil, and AVRDC work on other facets of the same problem. Other network 
partners might participate by collecting wild germplasm, testing materials 
that are developed, and using them in their own breeding programs.
70. In addition to work on viruses, major research emphases would 
include resistance to fusarium and bacterial wilts, late blight, and 
nematodes. Breeding for quality factors such as fruit size, even ripening, 
firmness, better shelf life, and others related to processing would be 
included. It seems probable that nearly every network partner would wish to
16
participate in at least some of the research areas envisioned for this 
commodity. It is also expected that advanced laboratories would be glad to 
participate for their own ends as well as to cooperate in an international 
initiative.
Peppers
71. It is proposed that Capsicum spp. be identified as a commodity for 
inclusion in the network list. The hot peppers are generally adapted to the 
high temperatures of the tropics, but the sweet bell types encounter fruit 
setting problems, which deserve attention. Susceptibility to a number of 
viruses as well as other diseases such as bacterial leafspot, southern 
blight, and Phythopthora rot will demand top research priority. Research 
workers and administrators interviewed in this survey all urged that the new 
entity make this one of its priority species. It seems likely that nearly 
all network partners will wish to participate in network activities with 
this crop. While interest in sweet peppers is not so general, they still 
command high priority in a number of national programs.
Onion
72. It is recommended that onion be placed in the initial list of 
species for study. While the onion is not as rich in vitamins as some 
vegetables, it is popular throughout the developing world. It is an 
efficient producer of calories and proteins on a per hectare per day basis. 
Important research goals for varietal improvement of onions would include 
development of short-day types that are adaptable and can produce bulbs in 
the tropical environment. Short bulb dormancy to facilitate onion set 
techniques of production would be useful. Cultivars identified in Southeast 
Asia that have little or no chilling requirement should be investigated. 
Resistance to diseases such as purple blotch (caused by Aiternaria spp.), 
basal rot (caused by Fusarium spp.), and smut (caused by Urocvstis spp.) is 
needed. Good storability and shipping characteristics under hot and humid 
conditions are needed. Methods should be developed to improve onion seed 
production in the tropics by manipulating both genetic and management 
factors during the storage period and investigating treatment to induce 
synchronous flowering among cultivars. Cultural practices are needed to 
improve yield potential of tropically adapted cultivars and post-harvest 
management to enhance storability of bulbs in the tropics. It is expected 
that essentially all network partners will wish to participate in some or 
all of the above-mentioned research. Expressions of interest were 
volunteered in interviews in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, with 
scientists in each region calling for work on precisely the same problems.
Leafy green vegetables
73. The proposed strategy for leafy green vegetables is to screen a 
large number of species to identify ones in which production or use 
constraints might be overcome by appropriate research. This screening would 
include measurement of responses to inputs, but attention would also be 
given to low input agriculture. Species adapted to adverse soil conditions,
17
poor drainage, drought, and other stress conditions would be identified for 
study and use in appropriate situations. The place of various species in 
farming systems and in farm family labor allocation would be evaluated. 
Nutritional value would be given attention, including production of 
nutrients per unit of land area and unit of time.
74. Species listed in earlier TAC reviews should be included in this 
screening. These were Amaranthus spp., Ceiosia spp., Ipomea aquatica. 
Bossella alba, and Corchorus olitorius. In the current survey, various 
scientists recommended that leaves of root and tuber crops, such as sweet 
potato and taro, be included in the screening. Several scientists urged 
that leaves from trees such as papaya, Leucaena, Moringa, and others be 
evaluated. Leaves of cowpeas, winged bean, cucurbits, and others were 
mentioned as interesting for further evaluation. There are well-qualified 
scientists scattered around the world who are quite knowledgeable about this 
mixed group of edible plants and who are enthusiastic about making them more 
useful and more widely used. Some are working in the tropics and others are 
in research centers and universities in the temperate zone. The network 
approach is well suited to harnessing this interest into an objective 
program of testing and research that avoids advocacy and that includes 
evaluation of social constraints to the production and consumption of these 
nutritious crops. It is recommended that leadership for this effort be 
placed in Africa where interest is strongest. It is anticipated that 
network partners in Latin America and Asia will be helpful in identifying 
germplasm, in testing materials, and in otherwise advancing the objectives 
of this network program. Testing and use in humid tropical areas in the 
Amazon and in Asia will be of considerable interest.
Eggplant
75. The eggplant, Solanum melongena and related species, is well 
adapted to the tropical environment and therefore is grown widely in the 
tropics with less problems than tomatoes and peppers. As a related species, 
research on this crop can be added rather easily to an agenda that includes 
other solanaceous plants. Eggplant is generally inferior in nutritional 
value to tomatoes and peppers, but it is a good producer of calories and 
proteins on a per hectare per day basis and is generally more widely 
available, costs less, and is consumed in larger quantity. Some cultivars 
have edible leaves, and there may be good prospects for developing varieties 
with higher vitamin A content. Because of their level of consumption and 
wide range of cultivation in the tropics, improvement in this regard could 
be particularly valuable to the nutrition of poor people. A number of 
improved varieties, some with bacterial wilt resistance, have been released 
in USA, India, and Taiwan. Locally preferred landraces are, however, still 
common in tropical countries where the crop is usually grown mixed with 
other crops in home gardens or small farms. Some of these local cultivars 
have small, poor quality fruits, but being extremely rugged and disease 
resistant, they are easy for small farmers to use. Modest efforts aimed at 
improving fruit size and quality might pay off rapidly. Limited germplasm 
is kept in genebanks in USA, Netherlands, and India. Among diseases, 
bacterial wilt and Phomopsis blight are most common. Rootknot nematode can
18
be a problem, and fruit borer and aphids are significant problems. Breeding 
for resistance to these constraints should have priority in eggplant 
improvement.
Okra
76. Okra, an annual crop that is well adapted to hot weather, is widely 
cultivated in the tropics. It is grown mostly for its tender fruit, which 
is a common ingredient in many traditional dishes in the tropics, but the 
leaves are also eaten. It is especially high in calcium. The fruit is sun 
dried for storage in many tropical countries. Recently, attention has been 
given to okra seed as a source of protein and vegetable oil. Collections of 
germplasm are kept in USA, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, India, and the Philippines. 
Insects, nematodes, and diseases are the most common threat to production in 
the tropics. There are known sources of resistance to some of these and 
breeding for this objective should have priority. There are possibilities 
of developing varieties that start flowering early (30 days after planting) 
and of extending the duration of the harvest period for up to 6 months. 
Breeding for higher yield offers promise. Many native cultivars yield 
around 2 tons per hectare while improved varieties may yield 6 or 7 tons.
Heat tolerance in other species
77. In addition to the above research activities, the suggestion has 
been made that the network consider support to work with a range of other 
species with the limited objective of identifying heat-tolerant lines. The 
point is made that the network technique lends itself to testing of 
environmental adaptation. By selecting sites at different altitudes, the 
researchers can subject the crops to a range of temperature conditions. By 
using different planting dates and locations, other sets of temperature 
conditions can be obtained. While such relationships may be confounded by 
disease or other factors, some useful material can be identified by this 
route. Once sites have been selected for testing of the principal crops, 
additional data can be gradually obtained for other species with modest 
additional effort. Materials identified as promising could be passed over 
to interested national research systems, private industry, and others for 
further study and use.
Social science research
78. It is expected that economists, sociologists, and anthropologists 
will be integrated into network activities. The economists, for example, 
would provide analyses of local and terminal markets for vegetables, 
particularly as regards vegetable prices, market fluctuations, market 
access, export potential, and similar factors. But equally important is 
gaining better understanding of social behavior associated with vegetable 
production, handling, marketing, and consumption. To investigate these 
aspects of the production process requires a sociologist or anthropologist 
competent in surveying households in order to discern the impact of 
division of labor on horticultural production and the effect of household 
social status on access to and utilization of production inputs and
19
technology. This scientist should also contribute to analysis of the 
socioeconomic factors affecting dietary status and the uses of vegetables. 
Information about food likes and dislikes, consumption patterns, responses 
to innovative nutritional programs, and similar relationships would be 
important bases for understanding and promoting production and consumption 
of vegetables. Such a scientist could also be important in effecting 
technological change. An understanding of farmers' knowledge of local 
conditions and their ability to accept new technology is important in 
selecting vegetable research topics and extending research results.
79. These examples suggest that the sociologist-anthropologist should 
be an integral part of the planning and design stage of vegetable research. 
The initial staff of the coordinating body, in other words, should include 
experienced social scientists. Steps might also be taken to include 
additional social scientists in cooperating countries to broaden the range 
of expertise.
Seed production research
80. Many vegetable farmers in the tropics find it almost impossible to 
obtain seed of good quality. Because of the lack of local seed sources, 
they often must import seed, usually from temperate zone suppliers. Much of 
this seed is produced for temperate growing conditions and is generally not 
an appropriate varietal type for the tropics. Unfortunately, such seed may 
also be over-age with low germination percentage by the time the tropical 
grower receives it. Frequently seed is poorly packaged for trade under 
tropical conditions where high humidity can quickly destroy seed that is not 
in moisture-proof containers.
81. Some countries have made rapid progress in recent years in the 
development of a seed industry. The technology is such that similar 
progress should be possible in many other countries. This type of 
technology transfer can benefit substantially from close association with 
research work. In fact, some adaptive research may be necessary in order to 
identify lines that can be induced to flower and produce seed under 
environmental conditions available to the seed producers. It is proposed 
that the coordinating body have staff capability to help countries deal with 
these techniques. Private as well as public agencies should be able to 
avail themselves of assistance in these matters.
Post-harvest problems
82. In many parts of the developing world, major losses of vegetables 
occur because of problems in post-harvest storage, preservation, transport, 
and marketing--what might be called the agribusiness aspects of the 
industry. Less obvious, perhaps, but equally serious are losses that take 
place at the household level and that involve subsistence rather than cash
crops. The whole subject needs careful attention by the network in its
efforts to find ways to increase real productivity-- the amount of nutrition 
delivered to humans.
20
83. In viewing the commercial side of the vegetable system, the network 
must recognize that the profit depends largely on effective handling of the 
product from the time it is harvested until it reaches the consumer. A 
starting place might be some case studies of vegetable production systems 
that have proven to be particularly successful in providing urban 
populations with steady supplies of high quality vegetables. The cities of 
China for example have highly developed vegetable production and delivery 
systems that closely link farm production capacity with market requirements. 
Sao Paulo, Brazil, has a very different but equally effective system of 
supplying a large urban population with good supplies of high quality 
vegetables.
84. A substantial study of this problem was done by two U.S. post­
harvest specialists working out of AVRDC. There are several new centers of 
strength in this subject in Asia and much interest in it by Asian 
scientists. It is recommended that this be given attention by the new 
entity and by the network it aims to foster. In order to have maximum 
impact, it would be necessary to have expertise in both post-harvest 
physiology and marketing economics. Public leaders are particularly aware 
of some of these problems and would welcome appropriate technical input.
85. Since many of the storage and preservation aspects of the post­
harvest handling of vegetables concern subsistence rather than cash crops, a 
better understanding of social factors would enhance the network's 
efficiency in focusing on the kinds of technological change likely to be 
accepted by producers. This area of applied research would benefit from the 
active participation of social scientists well versed in household surveys 
and studies of labor allocation.
86. Small-scale agroindustry at the farm or village level based on 
preservation of vegetable products by various kinds of processing is growing 
in some parts of the developing world and is starting to be of interest to 
national research systems. The network should give attention to this 
subject for it may prove possible to transfer the technology from one region 
to another fairly easily.
Interactions with nutrition
87. The first goal of the new organization in the field of nutrition 
should be to encourage interchange between specialists in this field and 
those in the biological and social sciences. The basic interactions among 
these disciplines is apparent, yet in practice, specialists often study 
aspects of the same problems with little communication. The production 
horticulturist tends to be influenced by the economic aspects and hence may 
decide against working with a particular commodity simply because it enters 
only marginally into commerce. He is aware of the nutritional value of many 
vegetables and may even cite it to justify support for his research, but in 
practice, he is influenced first by economic factors. Regular communication 
between nutritionists and horticulturists would be the first step in 
assuring that important opportunities to improve the quality of diets are 
not overlooked. Joint approaches to promoting the production of vegetables 
in home gardens may be one of the first places to link these two 
specialties. The real meeting ground for the nutritionist and the
21
horticulturist is in their efforts to influence the production and use of 
those vegetables that are of unquestioned value in terms of human nutrition, 
and it is with the small farmer and his home garden, or lack thereof, where 
the focus in sharpest. If lasting changes are to be achieved, researchers 
must comprehend the social factors at work. The key actor in obtaining this 
insight is perhaps the social scientist who understands nutrition or the 
nutritionist who is at home in social science techniques and approaches. If 
it is not possible to hire an individual with this mix of expertise, the 
coordinating body might engage the services of nutritionists as consultants 
in planning and implementing network-sponsored research. Contractual 
arrangements for research on nutritional value could also be made once 
specific commodity programs are started.
Training
88. There exists a great need in all regions for training in many 
aspects of vegetable research and vegetable production. This should be done 
by the new entity directly and in cooperation with network partners and 
others, and by making use of existing programs now being offered. Some of 
the training should be closely integrated with research activities and 
should provide young scientists with an opportunity to gain experience under 
the direction of qualified researchers. It is expected that participants 
will learn the practical aspects of vegetable crop production as well as 
research methods. Scholars who intend to make their careers in extension or 
production activities should be given intensive training in crop management 
and in communication techniques for introduction of new technology to 
farmers. Emphasis will be on small farmers where vegetable crops are grown 
in conjunction with cereals and other commodities. Students will learn the 
art and science of vegetable production itself, but must also understand the 
whole farming system in which vegetables complement other commodities, 
providing better diets for the farm family and increasing farm income.
89. Training in special subjects such as vegetable seed production 
should be offered to selected groups of students. Training courses should 
be arranged cooperatively with network partners for persons with whom they 
work in research, in technology transfer, and in special subjects. Many 
highly qualified horticulturists interviewed in this study expressed 
willingness to help in organizing these courses and to act as trainers. 
Also, it is noted that some excellent courses are offered in donor 
countries. These include the International Agricultural Center, 
Netherlands, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and Rutgers 
University, USA. These should be utilized by the new entity where 
appropriate in the overall program.
90. The network should also seek ways of improving graduate study 
opportunities for vegetable researchers. Almost all national systems have 
shortages of trained people and for some the shortages are acute. As the 
new program develops, it may prove appropriate for the coordinating body to 
seek funds for a limited number of fellowships to be awarded as part of its 
network-fostering activities. It would also be appropriate for the 
coordinating body to have funds to permit graduate students to do thesis
22
research at its operations centers or in cooperation with network partners. 
In considering human resource development, it should be noted that there are 
few women trained in horticulture, yet a great deal of the production and 
marketing of vegetables is in the hands of women.
Information services
91. Information exchange is the starting point for a network, and it is 
proposed that the new entity will make use of modern technology and 
established principles of communication to accomplish this, Some of the
important activities in this area will include:
a) A roster of professionals in vegetable research. The International 
Society for Horticultural Science and some national scientific 
societies maintain lists and registers of professionals whose 
interests are pertinent to this initiative, and efforts will be made 
to utilize these to the extent possible. However, the network will 
require an in-house computerized roster that is readily available for 
reference. In due course, it should be made accessible by modem from 
sub-units and national program.
b) Bibliographic services. The coordinating body should make efforts to 
accumulate all available literature for the commodities with which it 
works. In accomplishing this, it will use of existing services where 
appropriate and arrange through contract for others to collect 
materials, published and unpublished. As noted, it may be desirable 
to contract with AVRDC to prepare abstracts and to store and 
disseminate bibliographic materials.
c) A database on experiments conducted by the network partners.
Ideally, cooperating scientists at their respective institutions will 
enter data via microcomputer using software that has been developed 
for the network for entry, retrieval, and other uses. They will have 
access to and receive updated versions of the full database 
regularly. The coordinating body will be responsible for preparation 
of software and for training in the use of database programs and in 
data retrieval. To accomplish this, they will use contracted 
services of computer specialists at institutions within the network 
or outside of it.
d) A newsletter for use of network members and others. The newsletter 
should keep members informed on what is happening in the network 
between meetings and generally foster a feeling of a team effort.
News items related to the field of vegetable research and development 
might be included from time to time. Through selective distribution 
of the newsletter to various public agencies and officials it could 
be influential in creating support for vegetable research and 
development.
23
IV. RELATIONSHIPS WITH AVRDC
92. The Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) in 
Taiwan has been engaged in research and training with vegetables since 1973. 
It has an excellent record of setting objectives and working systematically 
toward them. Technical problems abound in a program as complex as that of a 
multi-commodity vegetable research center, but AVRDC is recognized as having 
made steady progress on its research agenda. This has called for 
improvement of varietal characteristics and production techniques for 
tomatoes, mungbean, soybean, sweet potato, and Chinese cabbage.
93. AVRDC's political problems, which are based on its location, are 
mentioned from time to time and are generally recognized as having been a 
substantial burden. However, AVRDC has found ways to limit the effect of 
the problem. Its strict adherence to a professional orientation and a 
dedication to scientific ends and to international service has been 
respected by its collaborators and its clients, who have demonstrated a 
similar attitude. The establishment of a separate activity in collaboration 
with Kasetsart University of Thailand has helped get around some of the 
difficulties. Moreover, these problems have become steadily less serious 
over time. It is not unreasonable to look forward to a time when AVRDC will 
have a bridge-building role. If so, it seems likely that the scientists of 
AVRDC will deal with the opportunities that may come their way with the same 
professionalism they have applied to their problems.
94. The relationship between the new entity and AVRDC should be one of
close cooperation, with certain divisions of responsibility, Reasonable
efforts should be made to avoid duplicating activities, The new
organization is expected to make its greatest impact by stimulating and 
coordinating the work of others rather than through its own research output. 
Thus, it should relate to AVRDC much as it would to any other organization.
95. Looking at specifics, AVRDC has two well-established functions that 
clearly appear capable of supporting the expanded programs that are proposed 
for the new entity: maintenance and storage of germplasm and bibliographic 
services. At AVRDC these activities are well developed and make use of the 
latest technology. The IBPGR has already made provisions to maintain 
certain stocks at AVRDC. The physical facilities are capable of handling 
several times as many accessions under the same management.
96. The Tropical Vegetable Information Service of AVRDC prepares a 
bibliography for three vegetables and can regularly supply abstracts to 
interested scientists. They can also supply the full article in photocopy. 
The system is computerized and could be accessed by other organizations if 
this proved desirable.
97. It is also noted that AVRDC's training program operates not only at 
its home base but also at its sub-base in Thailand. The regional office in 
Thailand handles this training, cooperative work with Thailand's vegetable 
research group, and various kinds of consultations with the People's 
Republic of China.
24
98. AVRDC has been deeply involved in research on tomatoes since its 
founding. It is probably the strongest center in the tropics working with 
this crop. It has recently added peppers to the list of commodities with 
which it will work.
99. Taking these points into account, and recognizing that the network 
would have to concur, AVRDC would undertake to provide, through appropriate 
contracts, the following services to the network:
a) Primary responsibility for maintenance and long-term storage of 
network germplasm. This would not preclude the operation of national 
storage centers, but it would mean that the new organization would 
not start or fund another general maintenance activity. It might 
also be desirable to arrange for storage of duplicates at locations 
in Africa and Latin America, perhaps at IITA and CIAT. Seed of a 
given crop would be multiplied in an appropriate environmental 
location and not necessarily at the storage center.
b) Lead responsibility for bibliographic services for those commodities 
on the network's research agenda. However there might also be other 
contracts to identify and collect published and unpublished material 
in other parts of the world or to maintain separate libraries or 
document files.
c) A leadership role in the evaluation of genetic materials and 
improvement of certain crops with particular regard to identifying 
sources of disease and insect resistance and to adaptation to 
tropical growing conditions. Its role would not be exclusive, but 
for tomatoes and peppers, it would be predominant. Other commodities 
could be added to this list as agreed upon.
d) Joint responsibility, with one or more other entities in the network, 
for training, particularly in the Asian region, but initially for the 
whole network.
100. It is of course recognized that AVRDC has many activities that
would remain largely separate from network programs, The close association
of AVRDC with the coordinating body and network partners on some topics 
would not prevent AVRDC from carrying on independent activities.
V. SOME COMMENTS ON NETWORKING
101. The use of the networking approach has been growing steadily over 
the past two decades, and a body of experience is now available for 
guidance. Some useful discussions by a working group of the Special Program 
for African Agricultural Research^ are particularly pertinent to this 
report. They point out that "....a critical mass of scientists is needed to 
develop new knowledge through basic and applied research. Experience has
1. Prepared by auspices of the Special Program for African Agricultural 
Research (SPAAR) Brussels, Belgium, July 7-8, 1986.
25
demonstrated that successful research in commodities has usually required 
the team efforts of 8 to 12 scientists working in a range of disciplines-- 
breeding, entomology, pathology, agronomy, soils, and economics--often 
making use of more basic genetics, plant physiology, and other 
information...." If the critical mass of scientists is not present in a 
national program, it may be possible to compensate by linking researchers 
from several countries and collaboratively focusing on specific problems 
through networking.
102. Donald L. Plucknett and Nigel J.H. Smith^ identified seven
"principles" of a successful network: (1) the problem is clearly defined and 
a realistic research agenda is drawn up; (2) the problem is widely shared 
and participants feel that they are likely to gain from the venture; (3) 
strong self interest exists; (4) participants are willing to commit 
resources such as personnel and facilities; (5) outside funding is available 
to keep the network functioning for at least the first few years; (6) 
participants have sufficient training and expertise to make a contribution; 
and (7) there is a strong and efficient leadership in whom the participants 
have confidence. To these might be added: (8) There is good communication 
among component parts of the network, and (9) there is a sense of belonging 
to a common effort.
103. The SPAAR conferees identified several types of networks including 
information exchange networks, scientific consultation networks, and 
collaborative research networks. The latter, with some modifications, is 
what was envisioned in the Winrock conference proposal for an "International 
Vegetable Research Secretariat." It would involve joint inter-country 
planning, implementation, and monitoring of research. The Winrock proposal 
envisioned contract arrangements to fund agreed-upon units of research. It 
was expected that research contracts would be drawn up with cooperating 
national research units within the network, but also with advanced 
laboratories, public or private, in other parts of the world.
104. The funding of collaborative research is critical to the success 
of a network. It is expected that participating members will continue to 
finance research on the network subject at a level at least equal to that 
existing prior to the start of the program. That is governments would be 
expected to at least maintain financial support for their own vegetable 
research rather than using network funds to permit shifting of resources to 
other activities. It is also apparent that expanded research activities 
will require additional funds, and experience has shown that, for a network, 
the needed resources must come from outside sources. This poses the 
question of how to allocate and account for funds on an objective and 
businesslike basis. At least two international centers, CIP and IBPGR, have 
developed contracting procedures in which collaborating entities formally 
agree to conduct discrete units of research for the center.
105. Restricted core and special project funds might also be used to 
support collaborative research. For such funding, more flexibility should 
be permitted to meet requirements of the donor as well as of the network.
2. Abstracted from article: Networking in International Agricultural
Research by Donald L. Plucknett and Nigel J. H. Smith, in Science, Voi. 
225, Sept. 7, 1985.
26
The SPAAR group has considered a variety of funding situations, Several
points they set forth can be summarized as follows:
a) An overall network strategic plan would be developed by a small 
steering committee comprised of selected scientists from national 
programs and the network coordinator.
b) An estimate will be made by the network coordinator in consultation 
with the steering committee of the funds needed to supplement the 
national program budgets and to manage and monitor such supplemental 
support. Funds will then be solicited from one or more donors to
provide the supplement to national programs.
c) Representatives of the steering committee and the coordinator,
augmented as appropriate by outside consultants, will decide on the 
allocation to national programs.
d) Donors could provide funds directly to national programs, managing 
the funds themselves.
e) Donors could provide support through in-trust arrangements with the 
coordinating body. If this is done, the coordinator will negotiate 
with appropriate national government officials the terms of reference 
for the support to be provided. The terms should include such items 
as assurance of continued national commitment for network activities, 
willingness to permit monitoring of financial transactions and 
evaluation of results, and assurance that the national program will 
provide support of specified types and amounts.
VI. THE PROPOSED NETWORK
106. During the interviews, opinions were solicited on ways to organize 
a network for vegetable research, on where its headquarters might be 
located, how it should be staffed, how decisions might be made, and so 
forth. TAC has requested that, where appropriate, alternatives be set forth 
in this report. Some of the alternatives on key issues follow.
Geographic versus subject-matter organization
107. Should there be one worldwide network or should there be perhaps 
three regional networks, one in Asia, one in Africa, and one in Latin 
America? Or would it be better to organize along subject-matter lines and 
relegate geographical considerations to secondary importance?
108. The answer to these questions can be judged by experience of the 
international centers. IRRI has a rice program, CIMMYT one on maize and one 
on wheat, CIAT one on cassava and other crops, and so on. Some of these 
crop mandates have, from the start, been stated to be global, while others 
have been seen as regional, or at least not global. But each of them looks 
at a crop as the basic unit of concern and undertakes a research program 
aimed at constraints on its production and use. For vegetables, it seems
27
clear that the structure of the network should reinforce the stated intent 
to develop technology for selected crops. It is, therefore, the 
recommendation of this report that one worldwide collaborative vegetable 
research network be created. Within this structure several commodity 
programs would be developed with selected crops: leafy green vegetables, 
tomatoes, onions, etc. Basic decisions and funding would be made along 
these commodity lines.
109. A number of regional concerns will cut across commodity lines.
Some might be related to training, others to marketing, seed production, or 
similar subjects. Also, it is recognized that people can get together for 
conferences, program evaluation, etc., more easily on a regional basis than 
they can on a global basis. It is recommended that regional "working 
groups" be considered as a secondary organizational concept. Clear terms of 
reference would have to be developed for each such working group and 
appropriate budgets prepared and approved.
Network membership
110. Two alternatives were considered for network membership. Under 
one plan, membership in a collaborative research network would be restricted 
to organizations that have sufficient expertise to make a significant 
contribution and are willing to commit resources such as personnel and 
facilities to the network. At the same time, however, an information 
exchange network would be operated with broader membership. All might be 
users of network technology, but only some would be members. A disadvantage 
of this plan is that it might be seen as arbitrary and would restrict 
participation of interested groups in activities that would be of benefit.
111. A second procedure would be to have one network potentially open
to all interested national programs engaged in vegetable research, Some
would participate only through information exchange activities, including 
training, while others would participate in collaborative research through 
contract operations arranged with the coordinating body.
112. The latter procedure is recommended, with the understanding that 
funding for participation in specific network activities would be dependent 
on appropriate budgeting and availability of funds.
Network planning
113. A basic premise is that a collaborative research network should be 
so structured and managed that decisions will reflect the combined views of 
the collaborating units making up the network and that they also fit 
adequately within the mandate or guidelines that have been agreed upon by 
donor agencies.
114. Thought was given to a procedure based upon the SPAAR paper (See 
paragraph 105) that would have called for a "network steering committee" to 
develop a strategic plan for network research. Under SPAAR a network 
steering committee would take into account the views and needs of various 
network members in preparing the plan and arranging for its implementation.
28
But the proposed vegetable network will have the coordinating body to deal 
with many of these problems. The negative aspect of the steering committee 
procedure in the vegetable network was the perception that it would 
eliminate many interested organizations from the planning process.
115. The preferred procedure recommended herewith is for network 
members to meet at the outset to develop a strategic plan and then to meet 
annually to report on results and to plan specific activities for the coming 
year. Commodity program coordinators from the coordinating body and others 
from the headquarters staff would participate in the annual meetings and 
would take leadership in the development of annual work plans and in the 
preparation of budgets in their support. Generally the planning meetings 
would be regional rather than global in order to permit a larger group to 
participate but occasionally a worldwide meeting of representatives of the 
various members would probably be desirable. A small advisory committee 
might be selected from the network membership to work with the coordinator 
between annual meetings in shaping the work plan. Ultimately it would be up 
to the commodity coordinator to fit the views of the group into a unified 
and manageable plan. Following budget approval, contracts would be 
developed with appropriate network members and others.
Network alternatives over time
116. The basic idea of a network as conceived here is to accomplish, by 
pooling of existing facilities and personnel, what might otherwise be 
accomplished by creating a new research center and in the process, to 
strengthen existing entities so that they will carry on their missions more 
effectively in the future. The desired outcome would be to have a series of 
national research systems that, to a large degree, took care of the research 
needs of their own clients. Ideally, there would be an efficient exchange 
of information among the systems with perhaps a continuing international 
undertaking to preserve germplasm and to explore and develop new avenues of 
research. This is not significantly different from the view that prevailed 
in the early days of formation of the present international centers. If 
this philosophy is followed here, the result might be that those countries 
that have relatively large staffs in vegetable research at the start could 
participate actively in network research for the first 10 to 12 years, but 
would gradually phase down as their own programs became more self 
sufficient. Countries with little staff at the outset would undertake human
resource development programs and in the meantime, draw on technology 
generated elsewhere in the network. Subsequently, these institutions could 
take over the central role in collaborative research. If these trends 
develop, it seems that it might be desirable to move the headquarters from 
one region to another. Most of the persons interviewed on this point tended 
to doubt it is practical, even though the intention to borrow or lease 
facilities would appear to make it feasible.
29
VII. THE COORDINATING BODY
Name
117. Several people who were interviewed in the course of this study 
proposed names for the new organization. Among them:
International Vegetable Research Council 
International Vegetable Research Board 
International Vegetable Research Network 
International Network for Vegetable Research 
International Service for Vegetable Research 
International Collaborative Research Program
118. Presumably the choice should be the one that best describes the 
organization concisely. The functions of the organization as discussed 
earlier in this report and as set forth in the next section is both to 
foster research by others and to do research itself. The connotation of a 
"board" or a "council" would probably convey this idea better than a 
"service" which might be seen as simply supportive. "Network" in the title 
has the drawback that the coordinating body will foster a network, but will 
in itself not be a network. Since many people after choosing a name proceed 
to use an acronym, it would be well not to choose a name whose acronym could 
easily be confused with others or would otherwise give problems.
Functions
119. The main effort of the coordinating body will be focused on 
operating a collaborative research network. This will involve working with 
network partners to establish a continuing evaluation of constraints to 
vegetable production and consumption and to identification problems on which 
research should be concentrated. Decisions regarding research focus should 
be based on criteria that would themselves be subject to regular evaluation. 
An inventory of research under way as well as research needs should be 
maintained on a continuing basis.
120. The coordinating body will propose for funding a program of 
research for which it would arrange implementation. The research would be 
done (a) by network partners in the developing countries, (b) by advanced 
institutions, (c) by individuals employed by the entity for outposting in 
national research systems and (d) by the coordinating body's own 
headquarters staff. Research in the latter category would focus on subjects 
of broad concern to the network as a whole, on subjects for which the 
expertise is not available among the partners, or other special situation.
121. The coordinating body will propose for funding, various kinds of 
training but particularly that which will result in improved capacity to 
carry out research. It will also propose funding for maintaining a roster 
of professionals in the vegetable field, for a bibliographic service, and 
for sources of other types of information storage and exchange. Such 
activities may be implemented by the entity itself, by its network partners, 
or by other interested institutions.
30
Location--principles
122. The 1976 Appraisal Mission of TAC provided some useful guidelines 
for selection of a site for an international vegetable research center. 
Among their recommendations the following points were accepted for use in 
the present study:
a) The site should be in the lowland tropics with well-defined wet and 
dry seasons in order that responses under both humid and drought 
conditions can be determined.
b) It should have access to a range of altitudes to provide different 
temperature regimes and to facilitate seed production.
c) It should be in a country with a tradition of good and diverse 
vegetable growing.
d) The location would preferably be near a good faculty of agriculture 
where cooperative programs of graduate study might be developed.
e) A prospective host country should be interested in having a center 
and willing to facilitate the entry of scientists and the supplies, 
equipment, and other resources, including seeds, that they require.
f) It should be in a location with schools, medical resources, and 
cultural activities adequate to attract qualified scientists.
g) There should be adequate communication and travel facilities.
123. A stated intention of the network approach is to maximize the use 
of existing facilities and there is an implicit understanding that a network 
is less permanent than a center. It is proposed therefore that an 
additional criterion be added,, namely:
h) Availability of land and buildings that might be lent or leased to 
the network for use as a headquarters.
Location--specifics
124. A number of suggestions were volunteered as to where the 
headquarters might be located. Some were general as for example, the center 
should be in Asia because of the size and density of population, the 
existence of a long established tradition of vegetable production, and the 
presence of a number of relatively well staffed vegetable research groups. 
Another point of view placed it in Africa where food problems are serious, 
where vegetables are vital to nutrition, and where environmental conditions 
offer a particular challenge in some heavily populated areas. The statement 
was that this is the way to ensure that African problems would get their 
fair share of attention. A compromise between these positions would place 
the headquarters in Asia with a sub-unit in Africa. This scenario called 
for a liaison unit in Latin America, perhaps at CIAT, to foster network
31
interests in that region. There were also proposals that the coordinating 
body be located in a developed country, possibly in the Netherlands. Those 
presenting this view also emphasized the role of the new entity as 
coordinator. Rome was also mentioned as a location.
125. Several more specific proposals about locating the headquarters 
within Asia were made by third parties. Three of them are recorded here for 
the TAC's information. (1) Ask AVRDC to move its headquarters away from 
Taiwan and to assume the responsibility for the new entity. (2) Make 
arrangements with IRRI and/or the University of the Philippines, Los Banos, 
to provide physical facilities that could be lent or leased. (3) Enter into 
an agreement with Kasetsart University, Thailand, to locate the new entity 
at its Kamphaengsaen campus. The physical facilities at both of these 
places are excellent and most of the criteria mentioned in paragraphs 122 
and 123 are met.
126. No serious discussions were entered into with any of these 
suggested host organizations and in fact, the principals named in some of 
these scenarios are unaware that the ideas were put forward. Among these 
solutions, however, are some viable alternatives.
127. To place the headquarters in Asia makes eminent good sense for the
reasons stated. In particular it builds on strength, To take less than
full advantage of what now exists in Asia would be a serious mistake.
128. Within Asia, Thailand offers many advantages. Its location allows 
easy communication, it has the necessary physical facilities to accommodate 
a program such as this, and its authorities have a long-standing attitude 
favoring international cooperation. The Bangkok metropolitan area has all 
the necessary housing facilities, schools, health services, etc. that could 
be asked for and it is well regarded as a residential location by people 
from all over the world.
129. The Kamphaengsaen campus of Kasetsart University has exceptional 
facilities that have been recently completed. They include dormitories and 
classrooms for special non-degree training. The laboratories are equipped 
with a range of modern equipment. The management is actively interested in 
maximizing the utilization of their resources. It is noted that Kasetsart 
University already hosts regional activities for IRRI, CIMMYT, CIAT, CIP, 
and AVRDC. Most are at the Bangkhen campus, which is near the airport in 
urban Bangkok. The AVRDC unit in Thailand uses experimental fields and 
training facilities at the Kamphaengsaen campus, which is about an hour's 
drive from Bangkhen.
130. The proposition of a sub-unit in Africa is reasonable. Properly 
situated, it could take responsibility for certain activities for the whole 
network as well as for coordinating activities uniquely of concern to 
Africa. An early assignment to this unit would be research on the leafy 
green vegetables. In selecting a specific location for this unit, 
consideration should be given to the criteria stated in paragraph 122. In 
addition it would be desirable to locate this unit where it will have access 
to experimental fields at different altitudes. This would permit work to be 
taken up on seed production, which is recognized as a particularly important 
problem in Africa. Also a location with distinct wet and dry seasons would
32
be desirable both from the standpoint of seed production work and from that 
of research on leafy green vegetables. In the more humid areas, adapted 
species of the leafy greens appear to be quite productive both in the wild 
and under cultivation. In those areas that are less humid, there is more 
need to cultivate the leafy crops and there is more research needed on 
cultivation and breeding. In selecting a site for this unit, it is 
essential that the needs of an international organization as regards 
movement of staff, trainees, and visitors, and of genetic materials be well 
recognized. It appears that a location in either Kenya or Tanzania should 
be considered. In the section dealing with status of national programs, it 
was noted that the research programs in both these countries give high 
priority to leafy green vegetables, particularly for the lower altitudes.
131. In order to ensure that Latin American institutions participate 
fully in the network, it may be desirable to establish a sub-unit in that 
region. The idea of a liaison office has its share of detractors when seen 
as serving solely a linkage function without being engaged directly in a 
research program. It is recommended that the possibility of a sub-unit be 
studied. Both CIAT and CIP are aware of the proposed vegetable initiative 
and have been most cordial in offering their assistance. CIAT is, as noted 
elsewhere, giving serious consideration to expanding its bean program to 
include green bean cultivars. In the process they are collecting some data 
that will be helpful to the new vegetable entity in charting a course. 
Collaboration with these centers would be mutually advantageous. 
Alternatively or in addition, the new entity might wish to establish a 
direct relationship with one or more national programs in Latin America. 
Unfortunately this survey did not extend to the point where specific 
recommendations can be made on this possibility.
Research activities of the coordinating body
132. The in-house research function of the staff of the coordinating 
body requires careful consideration. On the one hand, in the absence of a 
base facility of its own, such as the international centers have, the 
network may find itself hampered if collaborating members are sometimes 
unable to generate the needed materials or information. The primary role of 
the coordinating body, however, is to help network partners accomplish the 
needed research. To be successful as a coordinator, it must avoid being in 
competition with collaborating members.
133. The solution is for the headquarters and its sub-units to 
undertake research that at a given stage in the evolution of the system 
cannot adequately be done by the networks partners or that can more 
efficiently be done by the coordinating body. In an earlier portion of the 
report (paragraphs 66-91), a prospective research agenda for the network was 
outlined for discussion. In another part (paragraphs 113 to 115), 
procedures for turning a tentative agenda into an agenda for action are 
outlined. This process will require consultation between network partners 
and the coordinating body to decide not only what research is to be done, 
but who will do it. At that time the specific research activities of the 
headquarters will be decided as well. These activities will be regularly
33
reviewed and revised, Often the headquarters research will involve network
partners and it is presumed that much of it will eventually be turned over 
to them.
134. For the first several years, probably half or more of the in-house 
research of the new entity should be in the varietal improvement area. The 
coordinating body would not plan to name new varieties itself or to turn out 
finished lines. Instead it would move early generation material along 
rapidly and continuously to network partners. Information on the 
performance of these lines and of similar material from network partners 
would be exchanged among cooperators and would determine the course of 
action for the network. From the biological side, this would be the driving 
force of the network during the early years.
135. An important mechanism available to the coordinating entity for 
rapidly obtaining the needed flow of improved materials is to contract for 
the work to be done initially by capable institutions, wherever located. 
Starting a new varietal improvement program is a time-consuming undertaking. 
To expand the work of an existing program that has related objectives is 
much easier. Thus the new entity might examine the list of commodities it 
plans to research in order to determine where the greatest strength lies for 
each one and then to seek the collaboration of the strong units in meeting 
network needs. CIP used this procedure in its early years to achieve a 
rapid start in its varietal improvement program.
136. To use an example, the onion is proposed to be a priority 
commodity for the new entity. Research on onions is underway in a number of 
developing countries, but there is a consensus that an accelerated program 
is needed. Researchers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia have all 
commented on the need for work on similar problems, but no one is active at 
the desired level at this time. Research contracts might be used to 
strengthen the total output. Alternatively if these were seen as 
insufficient, the coordinating body might take direct responsibility to 
assemble the needed germplasm and embark on the accelerated onion breeding 
program itself in cooperation with the host country. To get it started 
rapidly and to lay the groundwork for continued collaboration, the 
coordinating body might assign some of its staff at headquarters to work on 
this problem, and then make arrangements for scientists from Brazil,
Senegal, and India (to use examples) to join the team temporarily (perhaps 
for 2 to 3 years). The makeup of the team would require participation by 
persons from plant breeding, plant pathology, plant physiology, and 
entomology.
137. A more desirable variant of this approach would be for the 
participating scientists from the network to bring their breeding materials 
with them and to make these combined elements the basic starting point of 
the varietal improvement program of the network. Working together, and with 
the substantial added stimulus of the coordinating body itself and the input 
of its scientists, it would be possible to rapidly construct a varietal 
improvement program that would be far superior to any that could be put 
together independently. The powerful testing mechanism of the network would 
provide a rigorous standard for the entire undertaking. Scientists who 
joined the headquarters for the 2 or 3 years during its start-up period 
would be able to channel and accelerated flow of new material back to their
34
home programs. At the end of their tour, they would return to a 
substantially stronger national program and to one with close links to 
similar programs elsewhere.
138. The balance of the research of the headquarters group would 
emphasize subjects that are important to the expansion of vegetable 
production and consumption, but that are now ignored or given little 
attention to by national programs. These subjects were mentioned in the 
section of this report that deals with recommended research initiatives for 
the network. They include socio-economic constraints and critical 
bottlenecks such as seed supply and post-harvest handling.
139. This proposed agenda for in-house research should not be seen as 
minimizing the importance of many production aspects such as fertilization, 
pest management, planting procedures, water management, and similar 
subjects. Rather, it appears that national programs might take the 
leadership for these more location-specific subjects. Where this is not 
possible, the coordinating body should consider direct action. An example 
might be irrigation management for vegetable crops. Where water supplies 
are limited their, allocation to high value crops such as vegetables is 
indicated. While individual vegetable producers recognize this and use 
available resources accordingly, most vegetable research groups have little 
in-house capacity on water management. The new organization might consider 
attention to subjects such as this.
VIII. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Board of Trustees
140. The proposed new organization is seen as a full member of the 
CGIAR system. It would operate under a board of trustees, which would be 
selected in accordance with CGIAR precedents and from there on would be 
self-perpetuating. The dispersed nature of the proposed program and its 
close involvement with national research systems suggests that ample 
membership from the developing countries would be particularly important. 
The board will act as trustee of funds of the organization and will be 
responsible for review and approval of the annual research program and 
budget. It will report to TAC and the CGIAR in accordance with standard 
practice. The board will select the Director and will approve the 
appointment of senior staff upon the Director's recommendation.
Senior staff
141. The headquarters staff should include scientists with a range of 
backgrounds in different disciplines and who also have demonstrated 
managerial skills and experience. All of the biologists should have had 
experience with vegetable crops and it would be desirable for the social 
scientists to have had such experience. Following are suggested guidelines 
for certain staffing requirements:
35
a) The Director of the coordinating body must be an experienced 
professional who is familiar with research methodology and 
management, has a proven record in administration in the 
international arena, and will be a good spokesman for the vegetable 
cause. While thorough knowledge of vegetable issues is important,
the Director's area of specialization might be plant pathology, 
genetics, or another field of importance in vegetable research and 
development.
b) It is proposed that there be two Deputy Directors, one based at the 
headquarters and one with the African Unit. It is proposed that the 
one based at headquarters be designated as the Coordinator, Asia 
Working Group, while the one based in Africa would be Coordinator, 
Africa Working Group. A third Deputy Director might be added for 
Latin America in due course. Broad knowledge of vegetable crops will 
be important for these scientists as will be the ability to offer 
strong leadership to an international collaborative group. It is 
expected that these scientists could and should continue to be 
involved in research activities and it is recommended that they 
represent one of the specialties listed below.
c) Research staff. It is proposed that a staff of thirteen, in
additionto the Director, be based at the headquarters. One of this 
group would be identified as Deputy Director with as noted, the 
assigned role of Coordinator, Asian Working Group.
142. Two experienced scientists would be identified as network
commodity coordinators; one for solanaceous crops and one for okra and 
onions. Preferably they would be plant breeders, but experienced scientists 
from another discipline could be selected.
143. The senior core staff at headquarters should include the following 
specialists :
Two plant breeders
Two plant pathologists
One production horticulturist
One plant physiologist
One entomologist
One economist
One social scientist/anthropologist
One seed specialist
One post-harvest specialist
One information specialist
One training officer
144. For the staff of the Africa Unit four core-supported scientists 
are proposed. One would be identified as Deputy Director and Coordinator, 
Africa Working Group. Another would be designated as network coordinator 
for leafy vegetables. The strength of the Africa team might also be 
augmented by scientists posted by donors and by visiting network scientist 
who would participate for various periods of time.
36
145. The proposed core staff for the Africa Unit would include:
One plant breeder
One production horticulturist
One plant pathologist
One anthropologist/sociologist
146. The staffing levels proposed here are seen as necessary to provide 
for the network coordinating function and to carry out a certain level of 
in-house research. Additional staff may be needed in both the headquarters 
and in the African Unit. Hopefully such staff might be employed with 
special project funds or by selective posting of scientists available for 
secondment from donor agencies. As the program develops it is felt that 
there will be substantial need to out post scientists to work in national 
programs. While the research systems are engaged in staff development such 
input can assure that an on-going research program is maintained and 
expanded.
147. Employment contracts for senior staff would generally be for 
periods of 3 to 5 years with provisions for review and renewal. The
Director's appointment would be for not more than 5 years, Senior staff
would be sought on a worldwide basis in accordance with procedures of CGIAR 
centers.
Duration
148. As an organization designed to facilitate the work of existing 
institutions, rather than take a leading role in directly developing new 
technology, it is expected that the coordinating body will modify its 
operational procedures over time. As various national institutions gain 
greater strength and maturity, they will be expected to take a different 
role in collaborative undertakings and to have less need for an outside 
facilitator. Also, their funding base might be expected to increase, which 
would modify the role of the coordinating body. In all probability, there 
will continue to be substantial differences between regions in the kinds of 
things needed to be done and the institutional arrangements to be made. The 
location of the headquarters might shift and some activities might be 
dropped as others were added. All of this suggests that the new entity 
should be organized to operate for a specific length of time with the time 
horizon reviewed periodically. It could be extended for such period as 
results obtained and existing needs would indicate. It is recommended that 
the initial period of operation be for 6 to 8 years, subject to renewal for 
another 5 years. The decision to extend would be made following a review 
before the end of the fifth to seventh year of operation.
Contracts with network members and others
149. Contractual arrangements with other institutions would be for 
periods not longer than 5 years and would generally be for 2 years with 
provisions for renewal. In all cases, there would be annual reviews, both 
technical and financial, of all contracts. The contracts would be 
structured to fit to the funding cycle of coordinating body and would have
37
durations that would permit orderly completion within the latter's own time 
frame.
Funding needs
150. At this point, there are too many uncertainties about the 
organization's location and operating procedures to prepare anything more 
than a rough estimate on costs. However, by drawing on the experiences of 
CGIAR centers and that of a network being coordinated by Winrock 
International, it may be possible to come up with figures that are 
sufficient for present purposes. Short statements giving the assumptions 
behind each estimate are given below.
151. Several items are identifiable as requiring full funding under the 
core budget. These include the cost of (1) core staff; senior and support 
staff salaries and benefits; research supplies and equipment, official 
travel, etc.; (2) network activities; planning conferences, reviews, 
seminars and study programs, newsletters, database costs, bibliographic 
services, and germplasm storage; and (3) training programs.
152. Contract research that is part of the strategic plan of the 
network and done under contract as a service to the whole network might be 
fully funded by the coordinating body Staff employed by the coordinating 
body and outposted to a network partner would presumably be fully funded for 
most items, but local support would probably be provided by the 
collaborating institution.
153. Items not fitting the above criteria for cost sharing would depend 
on individual situations and would be negotiated accordingly. For work on 
priority subjects, some candidates for liberal cost sharing with 
collaborating national agencies would be labor, supplies such as fuel and 
fertilizers, etc, small equipment, in-country travel, data collection, data 
processing, case studies, and technical reports.
154. With these general guidelines, the following cost estimates are
given:
a) Capital costs. If the coordinating unit is based at Kasetsart 
University, it is likely that considerable office space could be 
leased. Almost certainly, a sharing arrangement could be developed 
that would preclude the need for major laboratory installation or 
equipment. It also seems likely that no additional facilities for 
training programs would be needed at least during the initial years. 
To be on the conservative side, however, it seems desirable to 
provide funds for coordinating staff offices and for laboratory space 
to service field experiments. Assuming a construction of about 6000 
square meters for these purposes and current costs of $180 to $200 
per square meter, about $1.2 million would be needed at the 
headquarters site. Experimental farm development costs, including 
irrigation drainage and additional roadways, are estimated at 
$150,000. For the Africa Unit, the experience of CIAT in Tanzania 
provides some guidance. CIAT has four scientists located there and 
encountered capital costs of about $250,000 for offices and field 
laboratory facilities. Field plot experimental equipment, 
minicomputers, farm machinery, and vehicles including two minibuses,
38
are proposed to be budgeted at $380,000 for the headquarters and 
$120,000 for the Africa Unit.
b) Staff costs. These can be estimated from current experience of 
existing CGIAR centers, particularly CIP, WARDA, and IBPGR, which 
have program features that are similar to those proposed here. A 
total staff of 18 scientists is proposed for the coordinating body, 
including those for the Africa unit. Their work will be partially in 
research and, as regards their coordinating functions, partly 
managerial. Based on experience with a network now being managed by 
Winrock International, it is not unreasonable to believe that about 
40 percent of the time of the staff of the new organization would be 
devoted to coordinating functions. The balance of the time would be 
devoted to research activities. This does not mean that some 
individuals will do research and some will be coordinators. On the 
contrary, most will do some of each. Current data on senior staff 
costs in the CGIAR system indicate that research positions require 
funding at the level of about $250,000 per person per year, including 
support staff, consultants, equipment and supplies, and official 
travel in addition to salary and benefits of the scientist. The cost 
for coordinating persons of the category needed here amount to about 
$150,000 each per year, including support and travel. If these 
guidelines are used, the annual costs for the proposed staff of the 
new entity would amount to $3.7 million.
c) Network costs, including capital. To estimate certain of these 
costs, the experience of the network being coordinated by Winrock 
International offers some insights. This network is based in Bangkok 
and includes most of the Asian countries. Its program of planning 
conferences, reviews, and seminars is similar to that envisioned for 
the vegetable network. The costs for the travel and per diem for 
network members amount to about $35,000 per year for the Asian 
region. Assuming similar costs for Africa and Latin America, and to 
allow for some intercontinental travel of participants, a budget of 
$120,000 is suggested. To add four additional crops to the AVRDC 
bibliographic service would cost an estimated $200,000 per year, and 
to maintain germplasm for the four additional species would cost an 
estimated $250,000. In addition to recurring costs for the network, 
there will be capital costs for equipment, particularly 
microcomputers for database use. It is proposed that $200,000 be 
budgeted in this category.
d) Training costs. For a program to be located in Bangkok the estimate 
is based on AVRDC's current experience which indicates a cost of 
$1000 per month per participant. If 40 participants are included in 
each of two 4-month courses per year, the budget would be $320,000.
To this, add an estimated $60,000 for participant travel, which gives 
a total training figure of $380,000 per year.
e) Contract research. It is proposed that initial funding be based on 
CIP's experience with contract research. CIP has used this procedure 
since its founding to increase the level of research of the center 
rapidly and in different fields on a cost-effective basis. CIP's 
present level of contract expenditures is $500,000 per year, and it 
is proposed that this level be budgeted to the new entity in its
39
initial year. Since the proposed vegetable network will not be 
supported by a full-scale research center, its total level of 
contract research will in due course be higher than CIP's, where 
contract research is only supplemental to the in-house program. In 
the initial year, the vegetable research coordinating body will 
probably enter into several contracts with ongoing vegetable breeding 
programs. They will aim at establishing a flow of appropriate 
breeding materials for use by network members. Contract research 
will be particularly important for crops for which there is 
relatively little current research within the network itself.
155. Summary of cost projections:
A. Capital costs
. offices and field labs at headquarters $ 1,200,000 
. offices and field labs at Africa Unit 250,000 
. experimental farm development 150,000 
. equipment and vehicles, headquarters 380,000 
. equipment and vehicles, Africa Unit 120,000 
. equipment for network partners 200,000
Total capital costs $ 2,300,000
B. Recurring costs
. coordinating body including all research 
and other support costs, travel, etc. $ 3,700,000 
. network costs for travel and per diem 120,000 
. bibliographic services 200,000 
. germplasm storage 250,000 
. training 380,000 
* . contract research 500,000
Total recurring cost $5,150,000
IX. OTHER ISSUES
Alternatives
156. In various sections of this report, alternatives are presented and 
in most cases a preferred course is indicated. No doubt the TAC will wish
to review these alternatives and some not mentioned here, Provided a fair
degree of flexibility is maintained, the network concept should accommodate 
to substantial variations in procedure.
157. The TAC should, however, be aware of one aspect in which 
differences of opinion were registered by persons interviewed, but for which 
no alternative is indicated in what has been written in this proposal. This 
is the subject of the extent to which the coordinating body will be directly 
involved in research. A number of interviewees took the position that if 
the coordinating body is itself involved in research it may tend to relegate 
network affairs to a secondary level of importance. Over time, this
40
argument went, the new entity would become increasingly involved in research 
and the collaborative network concept would languish. Equally forcible 
arguments were put forward that an implementation plan that did not call for 
in-house research would be severely limited.
158. In discussing this position with interviewees and in preparing 
this proposal, the Consultant took the position that TAC had already decided 
that any organization that it recommended to foster vegetable research must 
itself have an in-house involvement in research. Furthermore, as the status 
of vegetable research in national systems was examined, it became 
increasingly clear that some in-house research activity by the new entity 
would usually be advantageous and in some cases it might be deemed vital at 
this time. There is no recommendation here that TAC alter its decision on
this subject. It is, however, essential that the review process of the 
CGIAR system ensure that in-house involvement in research will not 
predominate over network needs. The entity must in fact be constantly 
"working itself out of a job," one of the hardest things an organization can 
do. TAC and the CGIAR face this same issue in the system as a whole so to 
face it with vegetables is not an extra burden. It may, in fact, be easier 
to deal with in a coordinating body supporting a network than it is in an 
international center.
Phasing
159. The proposed research plan offers several opportunities for 
phasing the start up of different activities if that should prove desirable. 
One way to stretch out the process would be to start with fewer commodities. 
If this is done, it is recommended that work on eggplant and okra be 
postponed until the other programs are under way, because of lesser priority 
accorded these two crops by potential network partners.
160. It might also be appropriate to wait until the second year to 
start the post-harvest studies. Seed supplies, however, are so critical in 
many places that that this subject should be given attention from the start. 
Also, it is deemed essential that attention be given to social aspects of 
vegetable production and use and it is recommended that specialists from 
these disciplines be included from the start.
161. As regards the sub-unit in Africa, everything argues for a start 
up at the earliest possible time. The only reason for delay would be to 
allow more through evaluation of where to place the unit and how to 
structure it. The Africa Unit will be sufficiently independent from the 
headquarters that there is no need to hold back until the latter is fully 
operational. The Deputy Director who is to head the Africa Unit could be at 
post at the same time the headquarters is being set up. It is hoped that 
this activity will began no later than the end of the first year.
162. Earlier in this proposal, it was recommended that attention be 
given to a possible sub-unit in Latin America. If the decision is positive, 
this sub-unit would be launched in the second year. This does not mean that 
Latin American participation in network activities would be postponed. It
41
will be recalled that the proposed commodity programs will be worldwide and 
Latin American institutions would be potential collaborators from the start. 
In fact it seems likely that some contract research on key commodities 
should be arranged in Latin America during the first year.
163. In considering phasing, it should be noted that the contracting 
mechanism on which this network will depend lends itself to a fast start. 
Activities can begin as soon as a plan has been agreed upon and an 
appropriate contractor has been identified. Thus it is hoped that the start 
up process of the new entity will be relatively rapid. Also, it should be 
noted that the initial commitment to the network may be for 6 or 8 years 
with an extension being dependent upon review. Any activities delayed until 
after the second year might have to wait until the review had taken place, 
an undesirably long delay for anything seen as appropriate for the initial
program.
Next steps
164. In order to shape its recommendation to the CGIAR, TAC probably 
will need more information concerning potential collaborators in certain 
regions than is provided in this report. Countries in the Andean region, 
Central America and the Caribbean should be contacted to gather information 
on the present status of vegetable research and potential interest in a 
network. Further contacts in Africa are needed. TAC would probably also 
wish to have further discussions on a potential site for the coordinating 
body since this bears on funding needs as well as on program.
165. TAC may also wish to have some feedback from a sampling of 
potential collaborators and donors on the suggested implementation 
procedures as they are now described. This could be partially achieved 
through corresponding with the substantial number of people contacted during 
this study, but it could be extended to areas not contacted as yet. More 
specific reactions from the CGIAR centers, AVRDC, and other international
groups would probably also be sought before TAC formulates its 
recommendation.
*******
42
ANNEXES
ANNEX A Restricted
AGR/TAC:IAR/87/4 January 1987
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
Forty-Second Meeting, Rome (Italy), 16-24 March 1987 
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS 
VEGETABLE RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES1
1. From the early 1970s, TAC had recognized the importance of research to 
improve vegetable production indeveloping countries particularly on tropical 
vegetables. Among the earlier efforts outside the CGIAR to close the gap in 
research on tropical vegetables was the establishment in 1971 of AVRDC. The 
center has done commendable work on a limited number of vegetables for coun­
tries in Asia and the Pacific and it has undertaken various training 
activities.
2. Despite the high quality of its programs, it became apparent by the mid- 
70s that AVRDC could not alone meet the full global needs for research and 
training on vegetables for the developing world. The Committee commissioned 
a Vegetable Research Appraisal Mission and, following discussion of its 
report at TAC 12 in February 1976, a Vegetable Research Project Formulation 
Mission was organized. The report of the latter was discussed at TAC 15 in 
February 1977.
3. The Committee then affirmed (TAC 17) and re-affirmed (TAC 21; 1979 TAC 
Priorities Paper) its position that research on vegetables should have high 
priority among activities that deserve support from the CGIAR. A TAC subcom­
mittee set up in 1979 examined alternative ways of addressing this research 
need and proposed the creation of a small (16 senior staff) international 
center at a low-altitude site in Asia.
4. The proposal to establish an International Vegetable Research Institute 
for the Tropics (IVRIT) was discussed by the Group in May 1979. The TAC 
Chairman's covering letter stated: "TAC is unanimous in according high pri-
ority to tropical vegetable research, It was not completely unanimous with
respect to the form of implementation but a strong majority endorsed the 
attached proposal as a worthy one and as representing its best collective 
judgement."
5. In examining TAC's proposal, Group members raised questions and expressed
reservations regarding the form of implementation, This reaction was noted
by the Committee and its Chairman reported to the Group in November 1979 that 
"in view of the lack of consensus and of financial constraints, TAC was not 
ready to bring further recommendations at present."
Extracted from: AGR/TAC:IAR/87/4 dated January 1987 and used as background 
for Forty-second Meeting, Rome 16-24 March, 1987.
6. Priority for research on vegetables was again re-affirmed by TAC in a 
major output of its "Strategic Consideration" over the years up to the mid- 
1980's, namely the "TAC Review of CGIAR Priorities and Future Strategies" 
(AGR/TAC:IAR/85/18). An extract of the relevant paragraphs from the text and
from part 3 of the Technical Annex is attached as Annex I. TAC argued that
food crops should remain the top priority for the CG System, and it assigned 
highest priority for any new ventures for which resources could become avail­
able to research on vegetables.
7. The CGIAR first examined the TAC priorities document in November 1985.
The System's future strategies were debated by an AD HOC working group of the 
CGIAR at Bellagio in January 1986, and TAC was requested to elaborate on its 
various recommendations. The Committee's elaboration (AGR/TAC:IAR/85/18) was 
presented to the Group at its May 1986 meeting in Ottawa.
ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO RESEARCH ON VEGETABLES
16. Proposals and discussion by TAC during the 1970s on institutional alter­
natives for international research on tropical vegetables were summarized in 
a Secretariat Note prepared for TAC 23 (AGD/TAC:IAR/80/1). These alterna­
tives were:
(a) International Vegetable Research Institute - an IARC with a Board of 
Trustees, a core program for research and training, cooperative programs and 
outreach programs for off-station research and for technology transfer and 
testing, conceived as a sister center to AVRDC. Stimulated TAC to mount two 
missions (see para. 2 above).
(b) International Vegetable Research Pilot Project - a CG-funded project of 
max. 5 years duration, operated at existing institutions (in Sri Lanka for 
Asia, at IITA for Africa with relay in Senegal for francophone areas) under 
the guidance of a Project Steering Committee, with tasks of germplasm collec­
tion and evaluation, some training and some documentation activities. This 
Proposal by expert mission (see para. 2 above) was not endorsed by TAC, in 
part in order to avoid ex ante commitment to support follow-up.
(c) International Council for Tropical Vegetable Research - essentially 
alternative (b) above, but with replacement of the Project Steering Committee 
by a Council which would approve programs for implementation by a program 
coordinator with a small secretariat (considered to act similar to IBPGR's 
secretariat); initial program at the two bases in Asia and Africa with a 
future base foreseen in Latin America. This proposal by TAC subcommittee was 
withdrawn in light of information that IITA could not host a project and that 
AVRDC faced several difficulties.
(e) Other approaches - discussion in TAC examined the following:
(i) strengthening individual national programs
(ii) establishing a network among national programs
(iii) use of existing IARCs
(iv) establishing an International Board similar to IBPGR.
In the climate of financial stringency developing in the early 1980's, TAC 
did not follow up these efforts to define suitable and acceptable arrange­
ments for international support to research on vegetables.
Table 1. Mineral and vitamin content of some vegetables, compared with pulses and starchy foods. 
Extracted from PLATT (1975). Requirements for an adult man (55 kg) from FAO/DvHO standards 
for East Asia: protein biol. vai. 60%
per 100 g of edible portion
product Ribo-
dry calcium iron carotene thiamine flavin niacin vitamin C
matter,g mg mg mg mg mg mg mg
starchy basic food
maize 88 12 2.5 0 0.35 0.13 2.0 0
rice 88 10 2.0 0 0.25 0.05 2.0 0
cassava 40 25 1.0 0 0.07 0.03 0.7 30
sweet potato 30 25 1.0 0.06 0.10 0.04 0.7 30
pulses
groundnut 55 30 1.5 0 0.50 0.10 10.0 10
cowpea 90 90 5.0 0.01 0.90 0.15 2.0 9
vegetables
dark-green leaves 15 250 4.0 1.80 0.10 0.30 1.5 100
tomato 6 5 0.4 0.15 0.06 0.04 0.7 25
okra 10 70 1.0 0.09 0.10 0.10 1.0 25
green beans in pod 10 50 1.4 0.12 0.08 0.12 0.5 20
Daily requirements 500 9 1.5 1.0 1.5 17 30
0) 
tr 2 2
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Table 2. Estimated daily vegetable consumption (g per head, net intake, raw edible product) and annual
production in developed, centrally planned and developing countries
c. planned 
developed countries countries developing countries
produc­ for world 
type of vegetable  consumption g/caput/daycons . tion sale produc­production sw/ for produc­g/caput/ x 106 t %   Otherx 106 t tion saleAfrica tion America
day C. Asia areas mean x 106 t % x 106 t
1 . tomato 34 11 . 6
 85 14.32 . 9peppers   11 413 121 . 0 90 14 12.5  1.3
80
6 7 38.43 . eggplant 62 2
 0.7 90
4
0 . 8 3.4 402 5.74 . fleshy 2 7 15 10 8.9 30 10.4
cucurbits 16 5.5
 85 6.75 . 3melon, water­ 8 9 19 14 12.1 30 24.3
melon 18
 6.2 856 . heading 7.6 3 5 19 4 6 4.8 50 18.6
cabbage 19 6.5
 85 8.07 . 2cauliflower, 6 12 7 7 5.7 40 20.2
broccoli 14 4 . 8 85 5.9
8 .   0leaf cabbage 1 43 1 . 0 80 1  1 1. 3 1 . 0 90 11.7
9 . onions and 1 1 2 4 3 2.5 50 4 . 8
shallots (dry) 15 5 . 1
 90   6.310 . 4green onions , 2 14 4 5 4 . 1 80 15.5
leek, bunching 
onion 3 1 . 0
 85 1.311 . 0garlic  0 51 0 . 3 2 295 1 . 50.4 40 3.8
12 . 0leguminous 1 2 1 1 0.7 70 1.4
pods 9 3 . 1 75 3 . 8
13 .   0green beans 1 23  61 . 0 4
 85
3 . 4
  1.3
50 10.3
14 . 2green peas 9
 3 
1 2 2
. 1 85   2 1.73 . 8 401 4.015 . dry beans (for 1 5 1 1 1 . 2 40 8 . 1
sprouting) 0 0
16 0.1. 0lettuce 0 015 5.1 285 1 1 . 06.3 401 1 1.117. green leaf 3 1 1 1 . 1 80 12.5
veg.(excl. 8,
10, 16) 20
 6 . 8 75 8 . 418 . 21carrot 511   11 153 . 8 13
 85
11.7 30 26.9
19 . roots, tubers 4.6 1 1 6 1 2 1 . 3 80 9.7
(excl . 18 ) 7 2.4
 75 2.920 . 2shoots , 2 4 2 2 1.9 40 7.2
sprouts, 
flowers, stalks 6 2.1
 80  2.521 . 1sweet corn 2 211 3.8
 80 0  
3 2 2.1
. 1 500 6.722 . okra 0 01 00.3 065 00 . 4 6 3.923 . various seeds 2 3 4 4 3.4 40 4 . 1
(excl. 13,14,
15) 0 0
24 0.1. 3mushrooms 0 21 0 . 3 1 195 1.2 300.4 1 1 . 30 1 1 1 0.7 30 1.4
TOTAL : 221 75.5 87 88.6 69 60 162 110 101 87.9 47 252.0
Source : G J H Grubben, The Topical Vegetables and their Genetic Resources. IBPGR Doc 77/23 H > fu  2tr 3
i— 1 td CD X
m td
Table 3 . Average nutritive value of vegetables. Data from: Food composition Table for use in East Asia (FAO, 1972).
per lOOg edible portion
ANV
pro­ caro- thia- ribo- per 100 g 
type of produce waste DM energy tein fibre ca iron tene mine flavin niacin vit.C ANV dry
% g Real 9 9 mg mg mg mg mg mg mg matter
fruit-vegetables
tomato 6 6.2 20 1.2 0.7 7 0 . 6 0.5 0.06 0.04 0.6 23 2.39 38.5 
eggplant 4 8.0 26 1.6 1 . 0 22 0.9 0 0.08 0.07 0.7 6 2.14 26.8
sweet peppers 13 8.0 26 1.3 1.4 12 0.9 1 . 8 0.07 0 .08 0.8 103 6.61 82.6
pepper, hot 13 34.6 116 6.3 15.0 86 3.6 6.6 0.37 0 .51 2.5 96 27.92 80.7 
okra 10 10.4 31 1.8 0 . 9 90 1 . 0 0.1 0.07 0.08 0 . 8 18 3 . 21 30.9 
cucumber 20 3.8 12 0.6 0.5 21 0.4 0 . 1 0.03 0.04 0.2 11 1.69 44.5
pumpkin 17 8 . 1 27 0.7 0 . 8 24 0.7 0.8 0.03 0.04 0.5 14 2.68 33.1
watermelon 37 6.8 21 0 . 6 0 . 2 8 0 . 2 0.1 0.03 0.03 0.2 6 0.90 13.2
melon (white-green) 22 7.6 26 1.0 0.5 18 0.5 0 0.05 0.02 0.4 25 2.33 30.7
bitter gourd 20 6.0 19 0.8 1 . 0 26 2.3 0.1 0.06 0 .04 0.3 57 4.10 68.3
leafy vegetables
amaranth 40 10.7 26 3.6 1.3 154 2.9 6.5 0.04 0.22 0.7 23 11.32 105.8
kangkong 28 10.0 30 2.7 1.1 60 2.5 2.9 0.09 0 .16 1.1 47 7.57 75.7
Chinese cabbage, 
leaf type 14 5.8 17 1.7 0.7 102 2 . 6 2 . 3 0.097 0.13 0 . 8 53 6.99 120.5
lettuce 26 6 . 4 20 1.4 0 . 6 56 2.1 2.0 0.06 0.12 0.5 17 5.35 83.6 
white cabbage 15 7.0 22 1.6 0 . 8 55 0 . 8 0 . 3 0.06 0 .06 0.3 46 3.52 50.3
cassava leaves 13 19 . 0 60 6.9 2.1 144 2.8 8 . 3 0.16 0.32 1.8 82 16.67 87.7
leguminous vegetables
hyacinth bean (dry) 0 87.9 334 21.5 6 . 8 98 3 . 9 0 0.40 0.12 1.8 0 14.03 16.0 
Lima bean (fresh) 43 31.5 119 8 . 4 1 . 0 25 2.2 0.1 0.16 0.16 1.5 30 4.88 17.9 
mung bean (sprouted) 7 9.9 30 4.2 0.9 15 1.2 0 0.11 0.10 0.8 18 2.94 34 . 2
sprouts, bulbs, tubers, etc.
onion (dry) 6 11.4 38 1.6 0.7 30 1 . 0 0 0.06 0.04 0.2 9 2.05 20.0
carrot 17 10.4 37 1.1 0.9 36 1 . 2 4.2 0.06 0.05 0.7 8 6.48 64.2 
bamboo shoots 44 9 . 0 28 2.5 1 . 2 17 0 . 9 0 0.11 0.09 0 . 6 9 2.55 30.9
mushroom 9 11.3 37 2.7 0.9 8 1 . 0 0 0 .10 0.42 4.8 3 2.10 19.3
taro (as vegetable) 16 24.6 94 2.2 0 .8 34 1.2 0 0.12 0.04 1.0 8 2.38 9.7
Source : G J H Grubben, The Topical Vegetables and their Genetic Resources. IBPGR Doc 77/23
H > 
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to tu
ANNEX B 
Table 4
Table 4. Annual production and consumption of vegetables (excluding 
roots and tubers) in the major regions of the world, 1984
(1) (2) (3)
Production Population Consumption
xlO6 t xlO6 kg/head
World 344.1 4,026 68
Developed market economies 94.7 762 99
North America 27.9 238 93
Western Europe 48.6 365 106
Oceania 1.6 16 80
Other 16.5 141 93
Developing market economies 122.5 1,975 49
Africa 14.5 328 35
Latin America 15.4 328 37
Near East 25.9 190 109
Far East 66.4 1,123 47
Other 0.3 4 60
Centrally planned 134.9 1,289 83
Asia 88.5 923 76
Europe & USSR 46.6 366 101
Column (1) and (2): FA0 Production Yearbook 1984
(3) estimated (l)/(2) x 0.80. About 20% is lost as waste 
or used for sale.
Vegetables included are cabbages, artichokes, tomatoes, 
cauliflowers, pumpkins, squashes, gourds, cucumbers, gherkins, 
eggplants, chilies, peppers, onions, garlics, beans, peas, and 
carrots.
Source: Dr. Chamnien Boonma, Dept, of Economics, Kasetsart 
University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Table 5. First Priority Vegetables Suggested for International Research 
(Ranking: 5=very high, 4=high, 3=medium, 2=low, l=very low)
Content
Gen. Geographic Proteins Minerals Vitamins Potential for Present value 
Vegetable type economic value distribution improvement of research
Green leaf vegetables
Ama ranthus spp. 3 4 5 5 4 3-4 1-2
(amaranth or Chinese spinach)
Ceiosia spp. (cock’s comb) 2 3 5 4 4 3-4 1
Ipomoea aquatica (kangkong) 3 1 4 3 4 3 1
Bassella alba 2 3 3 4 4 2 1
(Ceylon or Indian spinach)
Corchorus olitorius 3 3 5 5 5 4 1
(jute mallow)
Leguminous vegetables
Dolichos lablab 1 3 5 2 2-3 3 2
(hyachinth bean)
Psophocarpus tetragonolobus 1 2 5 4 3-4 4 2
(winged bean)
Vignana unguiculata 3 4 4-5 4 3 4 4
(yardlong bean)
Solanaceous vegetables
Lycopersicon esculentum 5 5 1 2-3 2 2 5
(tomato )
Capsicum spp . 4 4 2-3 3 4 4 2
(sweet and hot peppers)
Solanum melongena (eggplant) 4 5 1 3 1 2 4
Other vegetables
Abelmoschus esculentus 4 5 2-3 4 3 4 1
(okra)
Brassica spp. (cabbages) 3 5 3 2 2-3 2 4
Cucurbita spp. 3 4 1 3 2 3 2
(pumpkins and squashes)
Allium spp. (onions) 5 5 2 3 1 2 4 hd > 
PJ 2
tr 2
I— ' H 0) X
tn tjd
ANNEX B 
Table 6 
Table 7
Table 6. Nutrient production calculated for 1978-80 average yields as
reported in 1980 FAO Production Yearbook. Rank in parentheses.
Thousand cal/a/day kg protein/ha/day
Crop World USA World USA
Carrot 82 ( 1) 11 ( 4) 1.53 ( 9) 2.08 (11) 
Maize 81 ( 2) 161 ( 1) 2.16 ( 5) 4.28 ( 4) 
Potato 77 ( 3) 160 ( 2) 1.49 (10) 3.12 ( 8) 
Sweet potato 70 ( 4) 76 ( 9) 0.70 (14) 0.80 (14)
Sugarcane 61 ( 5) 88 ( 6) 0 0
Soybeans 58 ( 6) 70 (11) 4.69 ( 1) 5.65 ( 1) 
Wheat 55 ( 7) 64 (12) 1.87 ( 6) 2.18 (10) 
Cabbage 52 ( 8) 53 (13) 3.49 ( 2) 3.50 ( 5) 
Onion 45 ( 9) 125 ( 3) 1.36 (12) 3.75 ( 6) 
Rice 44 (10) 81 ( 7) 0.86 (13) 1.60 (13) 
Garlic 40 (11) 94 ( 5) 2.16 ( 4) 5.07 ( 2) 
Tomato 38 (12) 76 ( 8) 1.63 ( 8) 3.25 ( 7)
Source: Henry M. Munger, Adaptation of Breeding of Vegetable Crops for
Improved Human Nutrition, paper presented at the First International 
Symposium on Horticultural and Human Health, Arlington, VA, April 12-15, 
1987.
Table 7. Top ranking food crops in developing market economies. From
Horton, Douglas E. 1985. Potato Atlas. CIP.
Energy Protein
Crop MJ/ha/day Crop kg/ha/day
Potatoes 216 Cabbages 2.0
Yams 182 Dry broad beans 1.6
Carrots 162 Potatoes 1.4
Maize 159 Dry peas 1.4
Cabbages 156 Eggplants 1.4
Sweet potatoes 152 Wheat 1.3
Rice 151 Lentils 1.3
Wheat 135 Tomatoes 1.2
Cassava 121 Chickpeas 1.1
Eggplants 120 Carrots 1.0
Source: Henry M. Munger, Adaptation of Breeding of Vegetable Crops for
Improved Human Nutrition, paper presented at the First International 
Symposium on Horticultural and Human Health, Arlington, VA, April 12-15, 
1987.
Sept. 30, 1987
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Vegetable Study Address List*
Mr. S.A.O. Adeyemi Mr. S.S. Apte
Director International Agricultural Center 
Nat'l Horticultural Research Inst. P.0. Box 88 
Idi-Johin Wageningen 6700AB 
PMB 5432 NETHERLANDS
Ibadan
Oyo State Prof. Aree Valyasevi 
NIGERIA Director
Institute of Nutrition (UNU-INMU)
Dr. Adisak Sajjapongse c/o Research Center, 6th Floor
Assoc. Crop Mgt Specialist Ramathibodi Hospital
AVRDC Rama VI Road
P.0. Box 42 Bangkok 10400
Shanhau 74199 THAILAND
TAIWAN, ROC
Dr. Michael H. Arnold 
Dr. Malachy 0. Akoroda Plant Breeding Institute 
Department of Agronomy Maris Lane
University of Ibadan Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 2LQ 
Ibadan UNITED KINGDOM
NIGERIA
Mr. R.S. Arora 
Dr. Eduardo Alvarez Managing Director 
Amado Nervo 143 Century Seeds Pvt. Ltd. 
Colonia Jardines Del Valle U/L Floor, Anupam Bhawan 
81240 Los Mochis Naniwale Bagh, Azadpur 
Sinalo Delhi 110033 
MEXICO INDIA
Dr. Jacobus P. Andriesse Mr. Auychai Salyachivin 
Director Director
P.0. Box 88 Foreign Agricultural Relations Division 
6700 AB Wageningen Secretary General National FA0 Committee 
NETHERLANDS Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperatives 
Rajadamnernnok Avenue 
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Assistant Director THAILAND
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USAID Sra. Myra Aviles Gonzales 
New Delhi Centro de Investigaciones 
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Scarsdale, NY 10583 
USA
* Please note that the appropriate name for salutation in letters is given in 
bold-face print.
1
Mr. Banchong Sikhamondhol Mr. Vinod G. Broker 
Director Executive Direcotr 
Horticulture Research Institute Pocha Seeds Pvt. Ltd. 
Dept, of Agriculture Near Sholapur Bazaar 
Bangkhen Poona 411040 
Bangkok 10900 INDIA
THAILAND
Dr. M.C. Bujanos Muniz 
Dr. Banjerd Katikarn Centro De Investigaciones 
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Kasetsart University Apartado Postal 121 
Bangkok 10903 38000 Celaya, GTO 
THAILAND MEXICO
Mr. W.O. Baudoin Dr. Doris H. Calloway 
Division of Plant Production Professor of Human Nutrition 
and Plant Protection University of California 
FAO 200 California Hall 
Via delle Terme di Caracalla Berkeley, CA 94720 
00100 Rome USA
ITALY
Dr. Guy Camus 
Dr. Ernest Bergmorn Chairman, TAC 
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Department of Horticulture 75116 Paris 
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COTE DE' IV0RIE
Dr. Lawrence D. Stifel 
Dr. Richard L. Sawyer Director General 
Director General IITA
CIP P.0. Box 5320
Apartado 5969 Ibadan
Lima NIGERIA
PERU
Dr. A. Stoner 
Mr. Signurd W. Schindler Germplasm Institute 
Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima Bldg. 001, Room 127 
No. 1.238 BARC-West
6 Andar, Conjunto 62 Beltsville, MD 20705
CEP 01452, Sao Paulo, S.P. USA
BRAZIL
Dr. Sujin Jinahyon 
Mr. Peter Seelig Vice Rector at Kampaengsaen 
Bioplanta Campus
Caiza Postal 1141 Kasetsart University 
13100, Campinas E.S.P. Kampaengsaen, Nakorn Pathom 73140 
BRAZIL THAILAND
11
Dr. Paul M.H. Sun Prof. H.D. Tindall 
Deputy Director General 8 Church Avenue 
AVRDC Ampthill Bedford MK45 2PN 
P.0. Box 42 UNITED KINGDOM
Shanhua, Tainan 74199 
TAIWAN, ROC Dr. William Tossell 
Dean of Research 
Dr. Sutharm Areekul University of Guelph 
Rector Guelph
Kasetsart University Ontario NIG 2W1 
Bangkok 10900 CANADA
THAILAND
Dr. Moctar Toure 
Dr. Yoshio Suzuki WARDA
Professor Directeur Scientifique, ISRA
University of Tsukuba B.P. 3210
Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Dakar
Sakura-Mura, Ibaraki-Ken SENEGAL
JAPAN
Dr. Hsin-Shneg Tsay
Dr. Vishnu Swarup Prof. & Chief, Dept, of Agronomy
Consultant and Director Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute
Indo-American Hybrid Seeds 189 Chung-Cheng Road
Indo-American Exports Wu-Feng, Taichung 41301
214, Palika Bhawan TAIWAN, ROC
R.K. Puram, Sector XIII 
INDIA Dr. T.C. Tso 
IDEALS
Dr. Leslie Swindale 5010 Sunnyside Avenue 
Director General Suite 301 
ICRISAT Patancheru P.0. Beltsville, MD 20705
Andra Pradesh 502-324 USA
INDIA
Dr. Samson Tsou 
Mr. Koichi Takahashi AVRDC
Multilateral Cooperation Division P.0. Box 42 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shanhua, Tainan 741 
Kasumigaseki 2-2-1 TAIWAN, ROC
Chiyodaku, Tokyo 
JAPAN Dr. Chin-Chyu Tu 
Director
Dr. Kenji Takayanagi Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute 
Head, Dept, of Vegetable Breeding 189 Chung-Cheng Road 
National Research Institute Wu-Feng, Taichung 41301 
of Vegetables TAIWAN, ROC
Ornamental Plants and Tea 
Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Antonio Turrent 
Forestry and Fisheries Instituo Nacional de Investigaciones 
Ano, Mie 514-23 Forestales Y Agropecuarias (INIFAP) 
JAPAN Sarh
Insurgentes Sur 694-Piso 10 
Dr. Ajibola Taylor 03100
ISNAR MEXICO, D.F.
Oranje Buitensingel 6 
2511 Ve The Hague 
NETHERLANDS
12
Dr. Ken Uesugi Prof. Winfried von Urff 
Director Institut fur Wirtschaftsund 
International Research Division Sozialwissenschaften 
Research Council Lehrstuhl fur Agrarpolitik 
Ministry of Agriculture D-8050 Freising 
Forestry and Fisheries FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
Kasumigaseki 1-2-1 
Chiyodaku, Tokyo Dr. W.W. Wabakala 
JAPAN Director of Research 
Kenya Agricultural Research 
Dr. Joseph 0. Uzo Institute (ILARI)
University of Nigeria Kenya House 
Faculty of Agriculture Koinange Street 
Dept, of Crop Science Nairobi 
Nsukka KENYA
Anambra State 
NIGERIA Dr. Don Wadley 
S&T/FA, 311 SA-18 
Dr. Ramon V. Valmayor Washington, D.C. 20523
Executive Director USA
Philippine Council for Agriculture
and Resources Research and Development Dr. K. Waithaka
(PCAARD) Crop Science Department 
Los Banos, Laguna University of Nairobi 
PHILIPPINES Nairobi
KENYA
Dr. Gaston van de Plas
Project Manager Dr. T.S. Walker 
UNDP/FAO ICRISAT Patancheru P.0. 
BP 154 Andra Pradesh 502-324 
Dakar INDIA
SENEGAL
Dr. Jose F.M. Walls 
Dr. Dick van Sloten Curator
International Board of Plant CENARGEN/EMBRAPA 
Genetic Resources SAIN-Parque Rural 
FA0 C.P. 10-2372 
Via delle Terme di Caracalla 70000, Brasilia, D.F. 
00100 Rome BRAZIL
ITALY
Mr. Wang Jifang 
Mr. A.J. (Jack) Veasey Plant Tissue Cultural 
Instituto de Pesquisas IRI Vegetable Research Institute 
Caixa Postal 91 Chinese Academy of Agricultural 
15990 Matao, S.P. Sciences
BRAZIL 30 Baishiqiao Road
Beijing
Dr. Ruben L. Villareal CHINA
Dean, College of Agriculture 
UPLB Mr. Wang Yuelin 
College, Laguna 3720 Vegetable Culture 
PHILIPPINES Vegetable Research Institute 
Chinese Academy of Agricultural 
Dr. Alexander Von der Osten Sciences
P.0. Box 93375 30 Baishiqiao Road
2509 A.J. The Hague Beijing
NETHERLANDS CHINA
13
Ms. Rose A. Washika Sr. Jose de Jesus Wong-Perez 
Principal Communication Officer Centro Investagaciones 
The International Center of Insect Agricolas del Pacifico Norte 
Physiology and Ecology Apartado Postal 356 
P.0. Box 30772 Culiacan, Sinaloa 
Nairobi MEXICO
KENYA
Mr. Wu Chaolin 
Dr. C.J. Weiser Deputy Division Chief 
Head, Department of Horticulture Department of Foreign Affairs 
College of Agricultural Sciences Beiiing 
Oregon State University CHINA
Corvallis, OR 97331-2911 
USA Dr. Charles Y. Yang 
Director/Resident Scientist 
Dr. G.W. Welles AVDC
Glasshouse Crops Research and P.0. Box 9-1010 
Experiment Station Kasetsart University 
Zuidweg 38 Bangkok 
P.0. Box 8 THAILAND
2670 AA Naaldwijk 
NETHERLANDS Dr. Yookti Sarikaphuti-Na-Ayudhya 
Director General 
Mr. Weng Zuxin Department of Agriculture 
Associate Research Professor Bangkhen, Bangkok 10900 
Vegetable Research Institute THAILAND
Chinese Academy of Agricultural 
Sciences Dr. E.T. York Jr. 
30 Baishiqiao Road Chancellor Emeritus 
Beiiing University of Florida 
CHINA Building 1-6 
Mowry Road
Sr. Clovis Wetzel Gainesville, Florida 32611 
Conservacao de Germoplasma USA
S.A.I.N. Parque Rural 
Caixa Postal 102372 Dr. Tornio Yoshida
70.770 Brasilia, D.F. Insititute of Applied Biochemistry 
BRAZIL University of Tsukuba 
Ibaraki 305 
Dr. H. Christian Wien JAPAN
Associate Professor 
Physiology of Vegetable Crops Dr. T. Yoshihara 
Cornell University National Research Institute of 
Ithaca, NY 14853 Vegetables
USA Ornamental Plants & Tea
Ano, Age, Mie
Dr. Trevor Williams JAPAN
Executive Secretary 
IBPGR Dr. Shigemi Yoshino 
Via Delle Terme Di Caracalla Assistant Director 
Rome 00100 International Research Division 
ITALY Research Council Secretariat 
Ministry of Agriculture 
Dr. George Wilson Forestry and Fisheries 
19 Dominica Drive 1-2-1 Kusumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku 
Kingston 5 Tokyo 100 
JAMAICA, WI JAPAN
14
Dr. Haji Mohd. Yusof 
Director General 
MARDI
P.0. Box 12301 
Kuala Lumpur 
MALAYSIA
Ms. Zhang Fengrong 
Project Officer
Chinese Academy of Agricultural 
Sciences
No. 30 Baishiqiao Road
Beijing
CHINA
Mr. Zheng Guanghua 
Associate Professor 
Vegetable Research Institute 
Chinese Academy of Agricultural 
Sciences
30 Baishiqiao Road
Beijing
CHINA
Mr. Zhu Dewei 
Deputy Director 
Vegetable Research Institute 
Chinese academy of Agricultural 
Sciences
30 Baishiqiao Road
Beijing
CHINA
Mr. Zhu Lu 
Chief
Division of Scientific Management 
Vegetable Research Institute 
Chinese Academy of Agricultural 
Sciences
30 Baishiqiao Road
Beijing
CHINA
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