People in the region eating less fruit and vegetables

Recent trends indicate a decrease in the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in the Middle East region, an expert has said. "Considering the needs for balanced diets, vegetables are our best source of the vitamins, micronutrients, and fibre the human body requires for health," Dr Dyno Keatinge, director general of the World Vegetable Centre (AVRDC), said. "[Vegetables and fruits] add much-needed nutritional diversity to diets. Yet vegetable consumption in most countries, developed or developing, is well below recommended minimum standards," he pointed out. He was speaking at a ceremony to sign an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AVRDC and Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) in the capital on Tuesday. Rashid Mohammad Shariqi, ADFCA director general and Dr Dyno Keatinge signed the MoU on behalf of the two organisations. Al Shariqi said ADFCA would try through this MoU to develop mutual expertise in producing vegetables in open farms as well as in green houses and in giving irrigation guidance, with special focus on the types of heat and drought-tolerant vegetables, thus providing the emirate's farmers with many benefits. The MoU envisages far-reaching cooperation in diversification and improvement of cropping systems for vegetables, harvest processing, marketing and specialised research. Besides, it also includes exchange of expertise in agricultural training in general and vegetables development in particular, besides taking advantage of scientific techniques and experiences on both sides. This initiative is also to encourage Abu Dhabi residents to include more vegetables and fruits in their diet, a senior official said. From / Gulf News