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High-value horticulture in developing countries: Barriers and opportunities

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Errol W. Hewett at Massey University
Errol W. Hewett
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Abstract

High-value horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, aromatic plants and herbs, are key components of agricultural development and economic progress in developing countries. Tropical and subtropical fruit trees are normally grown in these areas, especially when they have a competitive advantage of being harvested when appropriate market windows occur. Intensive production systems, often involving intercropping of fruit trees and vegetables along with a staple grain crop such as maize, provide local population with a balanced, diverse, nutrient-rich diet, an increased income, improved health and well-being through reduction in poverty and malnutrition. This review focuses on three case studies in three continents, each of which has achieved remarkable success in a relatively short time: East Cape, South Africa; Chiapas State, Mexico; and the São Francisco River Valley, Northeast Brazil. Significant economic benefits accrued to smallholders, as well as locally and nationally in both Brazil and Mexico, while in South Africa final economic assessments have not been made, although smallholder farmers are receiving incomes that have not existed previously. Key elements in success of these projects included substantial initial funding from a Government or international source that enabled infrastructural development such as creation of irrigation systems in Brazil, selection and supply of quality planting material (propagated trees, plants, vegetable and flower seeds), provision of R&D expertise as well as extension specialists providing education and training. In addition, involvement of local farmers and communities, development of local farmer associations and 'champions' to provide leadership, addition of people with expertise in social, economic, technological, welfare and heritage knowledge is important for ongoing village progress and development. Major challenges exist in creation of a functional and efficient supply chain for postharvest handling, storage and transport, as well as creating stable and profitable market linkages for high-value horticultural products. The common elements in these projects have the potential to be transposed to other developing countries where they have the potential to serve as models for economic and social development.
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Review
High-value horticulture in developing countries: barriers and opportunities
Errol W. Hewett*
Address: Institute for Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand.
*Correspondence: Email: E.W.Hewett@massey.ac.nz
Received: 31 May 2012
Accepted: 11 September 2012
doi: 10.1079/PAVSNNR20127054
The electronic version of this article is the definitive one. It is located here: http://www.cabi.org/cabreviews
gCAB International 2012 (Online ISSN 1749-8848)
Abstract
High-value horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, aromatic plants and herbs, are
key components of agricultural development and economic progress in developing countries.
Tropical and subtropical fruit trees are normally grown in these areas, especially when they have a
competitive advantage of being harvested when appropriate market windows occur. Intensive
production systems, often involving intercropping of fruit trees and vegetables along with a staple
grain crop such as maize, provide local population with a balanced, diverse, nutrient-rich diet, an
increased income, improved health and well-being through reduction in poverty and malnutrition.
This review focuses on three case studies in three continents, each of which has achieved
remarkable success in a relatively short time: East Cape, South Africa; Chiapas State, Mexico; and
the Sa
˜o Francisco River Valley, Northeast Brazil. Significant economic benefits accrued to small-
holders, as well as locally and nationally in both Brazil and Mexico, while in South Africa final
economic assessments have not been made, although smallholder farmers are receiving incomes
that have not existed previously. Key elements in success of these projects included substantial
initial funding from a Government or international source that enabled infrastructural develop-
ment such as creation of irrigation systems in Brazil, selection and supply of quality planting
material (propagated trees, plants, vegetable and flower seeds), provision of R&D expertise as well
as extension specialists providing education and training. In addition, involvement of local farmers
and communities, development of local farmer associations and ‘champions’ to provide leadership,
addition of people with expertise in social, economic, technological, welfare and heritage
knowledge is important for ongoing village progress and development. Major challenges exist in
creation of a functional and efficient supply chain for postharvest handling, storage and transport,
as well as creating stable and profitable market linkages for high-value horticultural products. The
common elements in these projects have the potential to be transposed to other developing
countries where they have the potential to serve as models for economic and social development.
Keywords: horticultural crops, tropical and subtropical fruit, vegetables; flowers, aromatic plants and herbs,
East Cape South Africa, Chiapas, Mexico, Sa
˜o Francisco River Valley, Brazil, income enhancement, poverty
reduction, reduced malnutrition, postharvest, market challenges
Introduction
Horticulture is recognized as a key driver for economic
development, poverty reduction through increased
employment and family and community incomes,
enhanced food security and improved nutrition for
populations in developing countries [1]. Thus, horticulture
is well placed to help meet United Nations Millennium
Development Goals [2]. There are real opportunities for
enhanced local, regional, national and international trade
for horticultural products that have the potential to
enhance income to small- and medium-sized farmers,
notwithstanding the barriers that do exist to increasing
exports and accessing major international markets.
However, as standards of living increase and dietary pat-
terns diversify, it is also well understood there are real
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