SUSPER

Sustainable Development of Peri-urban Agriculture

in South-East Asia Project
(Kingdom of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam RS)

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About AVRDC

AVRDC is the principal international center for vegetable research and development in the world. Its mission is to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improved production and consumption of vegetables.

Vegetables are vital for strong economies. Vegetable production provides jobs, supports agribusiness industries, and diversifies farm income. Vegetable production is an engine for growth in the developing world.

Vegetables are vital for healthy diets. Vegetables are not optional -- they are absolutely essential for human health. Rice, wheat, and other cereals cannot provide the essential micronutrients needed for good health. Vegetables are the most affordable and sustainable sources of micronutrients in diets.

Vegetables are vital for productive lives. Two billion persons, most of whom are poor women and children, do not have access to sufficient micronutrients in their diets. Poor diets lead to poor mental and physical development, poor performances at school and the workplace, and the likelihood of poverty in future generations. A diet rich in vegetables is an essential first step in helping a poor family to live a productive life and break the vicious cycle of poverty.

AVRDC is committed to developing and disseminating technologies that increase everyone's access to safe and affordable vegetables. Here is a quick look at our organization's structure:

AVRDC at a Glance
Management:	Not-for profit international agricultural research institute run by a management team that reports to a board of directors whose members come from various countries.
Founded:	1971
Annual budget:	Approximately US$10 million, from major donors such as the Asian Development Bank, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Republic of China, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, and United States.
Staff:	Approximately 20 internationally recruited professional staff, and over 210 locally recruited researchers, technical, and administrative staff.
Headquarters:	Shanhua, southern Taiwan
Outreach centers:	Asian Regional Center, Kamphaengsaen, Thailand; and Regional Center for Africa, Arusha, Tanzania
Outreach project offices:	Promotion and Development of Safe, Year-Round Vegetable Production in Peri-Urban Areas of Mekong Region Project, Hanoi, Vietnam; and WARDA, Bamako, Mali
Principal partners:	National agricultural research and extension systems and non-government organizations in developing countries.

Southeast Asia

This is a densely populated region with rapidly growing urban centers. Rising incomes and populations within the non-agriculture sector are fueling the development of both domestic and international markets for vegetable growers, especially in peri-urban areas. AVRDC is promoting crop diversification and producing high quality vegetables using minimal pesticides. Improved technologies are developed through regional networks such as AARNET and AVNET.

The production of safe and affordable vegetables in peri-urban areas is a priority

[ For further information please visit www.avrdc.org]