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This publication brings together edited manuscripts of papers presented at the Expert Consultation on "Lychee Production in the Asia-Pacific Region", held in Bangkok, Thailand, 15-17 May 2001. The Consultation was organized and sponsored by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The Report of the Consultation was brought out in July 2001 (FAO/RAP Publication: 2001/09). The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. All rights reserved. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand. FOR COPIES WRITE TO: Meetings and Publications Officer FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Maliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Atit Road Banglamphu, Bangkok 10200 THAILAND Tel: (66-2) 6974000 Fax: (66-2) 6974445 © FAO March 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page FOREWORD ii 1. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 1 by M.K. Papademetriou 2. WELCOME ADDRESS 2 by R.B. Singh 3. OVERVIEW OF LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN THE 5 ASIA-PACIFIC REGION by S. K. Mitra 4. LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA 14 by Christopher Menzel 5. LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH 28 by S. B. M. Abu Baker Siddiqui 6. LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN CHINA 41 by Xuming Huang 7. LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN INDIA 55 by H.P. Singh and S. Babita 8. LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN INDONESIA 78 by M. Winarno 9. LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN NEPAL 81 by Kedar Budathoki 10. LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES 94 by Rachel C. Sotto 11. LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN THAILAND 106 by Ravie Sethpakdee 12. LYCHEE PRODUCTION IN VIET NAM 114 By Vu Manh Hai and Nguyen Van Dung 13. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 120 14. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS 124 i FOREWORD Lychees are cultivated for their very popular fruit and have a long history of acceptance in China and many parts of Southeast Asia. The cultivated lychee originated in the region between southern China, northern Viet Nam and Malaysia. Lychee has a long history in Southeast Asia with unofficial Chinese records going back to about 2000 BC. From about 1600 AD, the species was distributed to much of the tropical and sub-tropical world, but it is currently not widely grown as it does not flower and crop successfully over a wide range of climates. The major production problems are irregular flowering and poor fruit retention, while alternate bearing and small fruit size can also reduce grower returns. Trees take three to five years to come into production, and will not produce substantial crops until year seven or eight. They require regular chemical control measures for pests and suffer heavy losses to birds and fruit bats in some areas if not netted. The fruits only ripen on the tree and have a very short shelf-life without refrigeration as the crop deteriorates very quickly after harvest. It was not until the mid- to late-1960s that the first information was collected indicating the effects of climate on flower initiation, pollination and fruit set. During the 1980s and 1990s, there was renewed interest in the crop, especially the effects of temperature and water supply on flower initiation. There was also some effort to develop guidelines for plant protection, watering, fertilizing and canopy management. Various attempts were also made to improve storage and marketing. However, in spite of these efforts much more remains to be done as there is room for more production in the region, but only of the best varieties that can be grown. Against this backdrop, FAO organized an Expert Consultation on Lychee Production in the Asia-Pacific Region at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand, from 15 to 17 May 2001. Experts from concerned countries participated in the consultation. They were able to identify critical issues needing attention. The report of the consultation was published as RAP publication No. 2001/09 in July 2001, highlighting the major recommendations. This publication collates further useful information in the form of proceedings. Appreciation is expressed to the participants for their presentation of papers and contribution to the discussions. In particular, sincere thanks must be accorded to Messrs. M.K. Papademetriou and F.J. Dent for compiling and editing this valuable document. Also, the unfailing support of Mrs Valai Visuthi, who provided assistance in formatting the manuscript, is greatly appreciated. R.B. Singh Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific ii INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Minas K. Papademetriou * Welcome to the FAO Regional Office and to this Expert Consultation. This consultation has been organized and sponsored by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. I am grateful to all of you for coming here to contribute to this meeting. The lychee is one of the popular fruits in many countries of the region. Production is expanding in several countries but more rapidly in China, Viet Nam and Australia, where there is strong demand for exotic fruit and fruit with export potential. Good progress has been made in lychee development in certain countries of the region, while in others the progress is very limited. The opportunities for further development of the lychee industry appear to be good. However, at the same time there are various and serious problems to be addressed. I am sure that production issues will be adequately deliberated during this consultation and some useful conclusions and recommendations will be drawn. Strengthening cooperation among countries, institutions and individual scientists in lychee development is very important. This forum will allow us to learn from each other. We must explore the possibilities of sharing our experiences for mutual benefit. It is in this context, that this consultation has been convened. Briefly, its objectives are the following: a) To review the status of lychee production in Asia and the Pacific and discuss the problems faced as well as strategies required to overcome existing problems. b) Elaborate on the potential and opportunities for lychee development. c) Discuss ways and means of strengthening collaboration on lychee research and development. I wish you all productive discussions and good contacts among one another for the exchange of information, experience and expertise. Thank you for your attention. * Senior Plant Production and Protection Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand. 1 WELCOME ADDRESS Ram B. Singh * It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to welcome you to the Expert Consultation on Lychee Production in the Asia-Pacific Region. May I take this opportunity to extend to all of you warm greetings on behalf of the Director-General of FAO, from my colleagues in the Regional Office and myself. Special thanks are due to you all for gathering here to contribute to this meeting. I am happy to see the positive response which we have received from scientists working on lychee in the Asia-Pacific region. Considering the importance of this crop for many countries in Asia and the Pacific and the need for inter-country cooperation on problems of common interest, we have decided to hold this Expert Consultation in order to elaborate on issues relating to the development of this crop in the region. While appreciating your response to our invitation, I hope this meeting will prove to be productive and beneficial for all the participating countries. The cultivated lychee originated in the region between southern China, northern Viet Nam and Malaysia. Wild trees can still be seen growing in elevated and lowland rainforest, especially in Guangdong and Hainan Island where lychee is one of the main species. Lychee has a long history in Southeast Asia with unofficial Chinese records going back to about 2000 BC. From about 1600 AD, the species was distributed to much of the tropical and sub-tropical world, but it is currently not widely grown because it does not flower and crop successfully over a wide range of climates. The lychee is one of the most environmentally sensitive of the fruit tree crops. It is adapted to the tropics and warm subtropics between 13o to 32oN and 6o to 29oS. It crops best in regions with winters that are short dry and cool (daily maximums below 20o to 22oC) but frost free, and summers that are long and hot (daily maximums above 25oC) with high rainfall (1200 mm) and high humidity. Good protection from wind is essential for cropping. Lychees are cultivated for their very popular fruit and have a long history of acceptance in China and many parts of Southeast Asia. The demand is for large bright red fruit with small seeds and crisp, sweet flesh. China, Taiwan Province of China and Thailand have substantial canning industries. A large proportion of the crop in China was traditionally dried as "dried lychee nuts", and this is the form that many people are familiar with. However, the present destination of the crop is 60 percent fresh, 20 percent canned and 20 percent dried. Fruit can also be processed into pickles, preserves, ice-cream, yoghurt, juice and wine. * Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok, Thailand.