The 2nd International Symposium on Durian and Other Tropical Fruits (ISODOTF 2021) was successfully organized by the Indonesian Tropical Fruits Research Institute, the Indonesian Center for Horticultural Research and Development, the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, and the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture. The Symposium was co-organized by the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) and the Indonesian Society of Horticulture. The Symposium took place virtually from the 9-10th November 2021, featuring 59 expert presenters in five thematic sessions of relevance, and attracted 300 participants.
The theme of the symposium ‘Recent Trends In Sustainable Agricultural Innovation Technology for Delivering Tropical Fruits to the Global Market’ was fitting in providing context and driving discussions towards identifying innovations which could help propel the successful access of durians and other tropical fruits namely minor fruits into the competitive trading scene globally.
The Symposium was officially opened by the Indonesia’s Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Dr. H. Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who commended the organizers for taking lead in pursuing such an important event which would benefit Indonesia, especially in terms of the development of the durian industry. The minister highlighted the soaring global demand of fruits especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which also signified of the potential of tropical fruits as a feasible alternative for market diversification.
Four excellent keynote presentations were delivered by experts including Mr. Jesper Karlsson of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Ms. Lindsay Gasik, an independent durian travel blogger, Prof Dr. Jingtair Siriphanich of Kasertsart University Thailand and Mr. Lim Chin Khee, a durian consultant from Malaysia. These presentations formed a useful overview to the role of international organizations such as FAO in the sustainable tropical fruit development while also exploring into existing innovations on postharvest of durians, and best farm practices available for durian cultivation.
The second day of the Symposium witnessed key researchers from five countries, namely Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia sharing beneficial insights on the latest research and industry developments of the durian industry transpiring at the national level.
As a finale to the symposium, a panel discussion on ‘How to Bring Durian and other Tropical Fruits to Global Market: Challenge and Opportunity’ was organized to tap into expert opinions for enhancing market opportunities for lesser-known fruits. Yacob Ahmad of TFNet who was one of the panelists highlighted the dominance of the bigger players in the global market while citing the factors defining the characteristics of the global market namely consumer demand and market; bilateral trade agreements, and geopolitical factors. Among others, he also illustrated the roles of travel and tourism as contributors in boosting the export of minor tropical fruits in the recent years.
The Symposium was officially closed by the Director of ITFRI, Dr. Ir. Muhammad Taufiq Ratule who thanked all presenters and participants for their active participation and excellent sharing of insights which will help form future recommendations for not only boosting the durian industry but also minor tropical fruits which are often considered ‘market underdogs’ at present.