Note: 9TH INTERNATIONAL MANGO SYMPOSIUM 2010, SANYA, CHINA

Will be Held on: 8-12 April, 2010

BACKGROUND OF THE SYMPOSIUM

1- International Mango Symposium is an event held every four years.

2- It is organized under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS).

3- Forum for scientists and other non-scientific people (such as producers, packers, transporters, Shippers, wholesalers, retailers, etc.) meet to discuss points of mutual concern.

4- The forum seeks to provide guidance to scientists where future research should focus.

 WHY SOUTH AFRICA?

1- South Africa was selected to host the 8^th International Mango Symposium during the 7th

Symposium held in Brazil in 2002.

2- South Africa is considered as a key player in the mango industry with demonstrated best practices.

3- The total area under cultivation in South Africa is about 8,000ha with over 90,000 tons produced in the 2004-2005 season.

NATURE OF THE 8TH INTERNATIONAL MANGO SYMPOSIUM

Two parts:

A pre-symposium tour of some mango farms, research institutions, pack-houses and processing plants from 1st -5th February 2006.

Presentation of research works in mango at Sun City from 6-10th February 2006 

PARTICIPATION AT 8^TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

1- Two hundred and three (203) participants from 34 countries attended.

2- The countries were made up of six from Africa, six from Europe, thirteen from the Americas, eight from Asia and one from Oceania.

3- Fifteen participants from Ghana made up of farmers, exporters, farm managers, scientists and technical advisors attended the symposium.

4- USAID/TIPCEE Project sponsored 7 participants

5- Integrated Tamale Fruit Company (ITFC) sponsored 6 participant MOFA sponsored 2 participants

CONCLUSION

1- South Africa has only 4 certified Nurseries.

2- In Ghana several nurseries have sprung up producing poor quality seedlings. Ghana should consider certification of mango nurseries to ensure quality seedlings are delivered to farmers. High density planting as practiced in South Africa is worth adopting has several advantages such as achieving high yield in the short term, For example by adopting a spacing of say 6mx 4m; 8m x 6m gives a plant stand of 416 and 208 per hectare respectively as compared to the current 100 plants/ha with a spacing of 10m x 10m or 125 plants at a spacing of 10m x 8m.

 3- The use of Paclobutrazol (PBZ) in mango production should be considered to reduce alternate bearing and vegetative growth. The use of ACTARA (Thiamethoxam) applied as a drench to control mango seed weevil, mealy bugs and scale insect has proven to be efficacious and if adopted and applied in Ghana will help to revolutionize the industry.

 4- The industry in Ghana should consider developing a unified mango management calendar similar to the one developed by S. A. to guide when specific farm activities should occur. Interest private sector to invest in processing of mangoes into Juice, Dry cut fruit, Achar As a solution to fruits which do not meet export specifications.