Africa Regional Manager, Minor Use Foundation
From Niche to Necessary: Supporting Minor Crops for Food Secu
Host: L. Banks
Abstract
Minor use crops / specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices play a critical role in global agriculture and economics. Despite their market increasing remarkably, the crops continue to face glaring challenge in accessing crop protection solutions including missing Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) data. The low investment in minor use crops lead to limited options to none when managing plant pests affecting minor crops. Lack of MRLs to many specialty crops aggravates the situation negatively affecting market access and trade compliance. The Minor Use Foundation (MUF) (https://minorusefoundation.org/) works to address the gaps that exist for the registration of critical crop protection technologies for minor use crops. Through its wide expertise and rich partner-portfolio, it establishes research priorities, coordinates and educates stakeholders, policymakers, legislators, and the public on the value and necessity of securing crop protection technologies for minor uses in specialty crops. MUF refines and implements processes for generating residue data significantly contributing to the establishment of national, regional and Codex MRLs. Using concepts like crop grouping, data extrapolation, the MUF identifies and implements work to expand uses, streamline procedures, harmonize MRLs, and support grower needs. The MUF global priority setting further provides a platform for consultative identification and prioritization of needs and potential solutions to global and regional minor crops challenges. The 2025 identified priorities will shape minor use programs in a coordinated and collaborative approach to realize MUF`s vision of a world where fruits, vegetables, nuts, and spices are plentiful and affordable for everyone.
International Seminar Programme
Hundreds of videos, tens of playlists providing free scientific content worldwide