The rapid rise of the middle class and retail sales in emerging economies will increase the consumption of vegetables and potatoes.
This development offers great possibilities for farmers to strengthen production systems. On the other end of the spectrum vegetables and potatoes can enrich the diets of undernourished people and so contribute to improved food nutrition security.
However, the horticultural sector of many emerging countries, which is often highly fragmented and characterized by informal marketing channels, pays little attention to the product quality and safety as compared to the export sector.
Production systems for quality
Modern production practices, seed certification, value chain management, viable market channels and a supportive enabling environment are key factors for a successful vegetable and potato sector. Improving production systems as well as input supply systems, seed quality, and implementing value chain management and market access can significantly increase the productivity of the vegetable sector in emerging countries.
This course gives access to the latest insights of world leading Dutch knowledge organisations and private companies that specialise in vegetables and potatoes. The programme covers the complete vegetable and potato chain. Relevant examples from greenhouse as well as open field production are demonstrated during the course. The programme specifically addresses the following aspects:
- broad expertise on vegetable and potato production, including protected and open field production;
- in-depth knowledge of technical, organisational, institutional and socio-economic aspects of vegetable and potato supply systems;
- knowledge about international standards for good agricultural practices and quality issues in international trade;
- general principles of value chain management for fresh vegetables and potatoes;
- insight in the relevant international institutional and policy developments, as well as the relevance to your own country;
- understanding of the role of multi-stakeholder processes in developing vibrant markets.
We invite technical staff, policymakers, scientists, and programme / project managers who want to develop the horticultural industry in general and vegetable and (seed) potato sectors in particular, to enroll.
Participants should be proficient in English, and have at least a BSc degree or an equivalent academic qualification and five years of work experience in a related field.
Mrs. Alejandra Larrea-Bueno, Ecuador on her experience attending the course "Seed potato technology, certfication and supply systems"
