IHC 2018 - Turkey

Victor Galán Saúco is a consultant in tropical fruits, mainly bananas, mango and litchis. He has been chairperson of the ISHS Section on Tropical Fruits (1999-2006), vice-chair of the ISHS Section on Banana and Plantains (2006-2010), co-president of the 28th International Horticultural Congress in Lisbon, and President of the Spanish Society of Horticultural Science (1995-2003). He has taught courses in tropical fruits in European and Latin American universities and governmental institutions. He authored many scientific papers, books and book chapters on tropical fruits. His main expertise in bananas is protected cultivation and varietal evaluation under subtropical conditions.

Hadi Bux Laghari is the Technical Manager of a commercial farm in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Within two years of joining the farm, he developed a programme to manage Bunchy Top that is now used throughout the province. He also developed protocols to minimize the impact of the harsh climate on the bananas, increase productivity and improve fruit quality. He graduated in Plant Pathology from Sindh Agriculture University in 1998.

Migual Dita is Principal Plant Pathologist at Embrapa Cassava and Fruits in Jaguariúna, São Paulo, Brazil. He is currently working on research and extension programmes related to bananas. He received his PhD in Plant Pathology from the Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil (2003). He was Postdoctoral Fellow in Plant Biotechnology at the Institute of Sustainable Agriculture (IAS-CSIC) in Spain (2004-2006) and then Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular Plant Pathology at Plant Research International, Wageningen University, the Netherlands (2008-2009). He was Principal scientist and Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean of Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources Programme, Bioversity International in Costa Rica (2010-2013). He has twenty years of experience in Plant Pathology, working in different countries, such as Cuba, Brazil, Spain, The Netherlands, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panamá, Honduras, Colombia and Peru. His main areas of interest are in plant-microbe interactions (pathogen and beneficial) and in diagnostic, plant and soil health, integrated approaches for sustainable pest and disease management.

David is a Certified Practising Agriculturalist with over 35 years’ experience in the Australian subtropical horticultural industries. He has written several book chapters, handbooks and grower manuals on all aspects of subtropical plant production. His main interests are working with growers to develop integrated pest and disease management systems and screening of varieties suitable for the subtropical growing conditions. In 2015, David was recognised by the Australian Banana Industry with the "Award of Honour" for outstanding dedication and service to the Australian Banana Industry. The Award recognised his part in the industry's response to the disease threat posed by exotic diseases and his dedication in representing the subtropical banana industry on the leadership team of the Banana Plant Protection Program and leading the National Banana Bunchy Top Project. He is a member of the Agricultural Institute of Australia and of the Australian Association of Agricultural consultants.

After a career as a business analyst in Australia and the UK, Doriana became a banana farmer in the subtropical region of Carnarvon in Western Australia. Initially joining the Sweeter Banana Co-operative as a grower, she subsequently served as Board member, marketer and now business manager. Growing bananas on the edge of the desert was always going to be a challenge, but being fairly compensated for the efforts proved to be the greater task. Hence Doriana’s main focus to differentiate Sweeter Banana's product from other Australian bananas.? Through marketing and organisational change, the Co-operative has been able to challenge the status quo of Carnarvon bananas as a commodity and obtain a premium price.? By educating consumers, Sweeter Banana has shown that bigger isn’t always better and that flavour can trump looks. Passionate about family farming and local food, Doriana is also the Executive Officer of the Gascoyne Food Council and a member of the advisory group to the National Farming Together programme .?