Speakers

Session 1- Setting the scene

Topic 1: Overview of opportunity, challenge and development of tropical fruit industry

Mr. Yacob Ahmad

Advisor / Independent Consultant

International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet)

Malaysia

Session 2 – Addressing the Issues

Issue 2-1. Opportunities for sustaining value in harvest and postharvest supply chain

Topic 2: Postharvest diseases of tropical fruit and their management strategies

Dr. Nguyen Khanh Ngoc

Researcher

Department of Biotechnology, Physiology, Biochemistry and Post-harvest Technology, Southern Horticulture Research Institute (SOFRI)

Vietnam

Topic 3: Postharvest handling techniques to prolong storage life of tropical fruits

Mr. Wan Mohd Reza Ikwan Bin Wan Hussin

Deputy Director

Postharvest Handling Program, Malaysia Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)

Malaysia

Topic 4: Assessment of mango quality and evaluation of distribution environment

Dr. Eriko Yasunaga

Associate Professor

The University of Tokyo, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam-Japan University (VNU-VJU)

Japan

Issue 2-2. Opportunities for adding value by processing and marketing products

Topic 5 – Status of processing for solids, juices, concentrates, extracts for health supplements, ingredients in other processes

Dr. Ir. Setyadjit MappSc

Professor

Center for Agroindustry, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

Indonesia

Topic 6 – Pineapple Fermentation as a Bromelain Enzyme Ingredient in Eco-friendly Natural Cleanser

Ms. Morna Meng-Na Lee

President, CACITO, Inc.

CEO, Taiwan ChengHsiTang Agro & Business Consulting Firm

Taiwan

Issue 2-3. Opportunities for expanded production and consumption of tropical fruits

Topic 7 – Market prospects, consumer appetite for, and preference towards minor tropical fruits from Southeast Asian

Dr. Denise Maria Conroy

Principal Scientist

The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited

New Zealand

Topic 8 – Niches for expansion of fruit production and marketing in Japan

Mr. Shinji Ohta

President & CEO

Creative House Corporation

Japan

Topic 9 – Rapid Market Appraisal for Underutilized Fruits (Guava, Soursop, Sugar Apple & Tamarind) in the Philippines.

Ms. Annette M. Tobias

Science Research Specialist II

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD)

The Philippines

Panel Discussion: Value addition, consumer perspectives and market expansion (TBC)

Mr. Shinji Ohta

President & CEO

Creative House Corporation

Japan

Dr. Denise Maria Conroy

Principal Scientist & Team Leader – Stakeholder & Consumer Intelligence

Plant and Food Research (PFR)

New Zealand

Dr. Wen-Li Lee

Director

Taiwan Agricultural Research institute (TARI)-Fengshan Branch

Taiwan