A RECENT EXPERIENCE FOR CO-OPERATIVE HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA (RADHORT)

The paper introduces the present structure and modus operandi of a regional co-operative research and development network "Regional Co-operation for Horticulture Development in Africa" which is being established in West and Central Africa with the assistance of a regional project GCP/RAF/244/BEL, and financial assistance from the Kingdom of Belgium, implemented under the supervision of FAO. The participating countries are: Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Chad.
Joint programme activities have been identified and are being implemented within the framework of four themes: (i) Selection and improvement of planting material, adapted to local conditions, with resistance to specific pests and diseases; (ii) Integrated Production and Protection Management (IPP); (iii) Improvement of production and post-harvest technologies including water use efficiency, and (iv) Economics and market supply strategies.

The results of ongoing activities and research are analysed for two of the most important vegetables in the region, onion and tomato.
Work performed on the genetic characterisation of local onion ecotypes of "Violet de Galmi" in the Sahel using gas chromatography is reported.
Progress in breeding onion varieties for resistance to thrips (Thrips tabaci) and to Pink Root Rot (PRR) as well as prolonged shelf life is described.
Current progress in breeding tomato varieties for hot and humid tropical conditions and

XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 14: Horticultural Economics at Micro and Macro Level, International Trade and Marketing, International Cooperative Programs, Relations between Research, Development, Extension and Education

N. Silva, A. Rouamba, P.A. Seck, E.V. Coly

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2000.524.25