The overall objective of the Horticultural Crops Group is intensification and diversification of horticultural production (fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers, mushrooms and ornamentals) through:
Increasing the availability of high quality and safe horticultural produce by developing improved crop management practices for sustainable and environmentally friendly production systems
Promoting neglected and high value horticultural crops as possible diversification options, according with their economic interest or nutritive value, and to make the best use of available germplasm and bio-diversity within distinct agro-ecological zones
The Group's programme areas include:
Rural household horticulture, aimed at
promoting horticulture-based and subsistence-oriented production systems for household food security and improved nutrition
Urban and peri-urban horticulture, involving
intensification of horticulture production systems to secure year-round supply of fresh produce to urban populations
Crop specific and large scale horticulture, aimed at achieving the full agronomic and economic potential of major horticultural crops in distinct agro-ecological conditions, and to improve large scale horticultural production systems
School gardens, which help improve nutrition and education in schools and health centres
Micro-gardens, which relieve malnutrition and alleviate poverty, and are particularly adapted to the urban environment
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Crop groups
Horticultural crops
livestock
systems
