A new global postharvest forum was officially launched on 25th June, 1999, at the NRI headquarters, Chatham, UK. The postharvest forum was developed through discussions between five leading research agencies, NRI, FAO, CIRAD, GTZ, ACIAR and four International research centres, CIAT, IFPRI, CIP and IITA.

The forum aims to achieve greater impact in the food research sector through the development and delivery of sustainable post-harvest technologies in collaboration with a range of partners in developing countries. By linking farmers with markets and finding innovative means to support trade links for partners in developing countries will enhance rural development and secure urban food security.

For further details contact the secretariat, which is jointly held at NRI, CIRAD and GTZ and seek information and announcements through the FAO postharvest website INPHO (http://www.fao.org/inpho) and through a dedicated , newsletter published at IITA.