The International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS) hosted the highly awaited International Agriculture and Innovation Conference (IAIC) 2023 under the theme Agro-industrialisation and Sustainability
The conference which took place on 1 August 2023 brought together leading experts, scholars, researchers, and industry stakeholders to explore transformative solutions for the agricultural sector. Alongside insightful panel discussions, the event branched out into three key themes namely, agriculture development in the face of change; controlled environment agriculture; and agriculture innovation systems.
With a strong focused on the symbiotic relationship between agriculture and industry, the conference commenced with an inspiring opening speech by the chairman of IAAS, Tzong-Ru Lee emphasising the critical need for agro-industrialisation that balances economic growth with environmental preservation. Following this was a compelling keynote address from Ian Givens, who shed light on dietary transitions for sustainable diets in the UK and India.
The following key themes were explored:
1. Agriculture development in the face of change: This theme was aimed at addressing the urgent need to adapt agriculture to a rapidly changing world, and included a plethora of experts from diverse backgrounds who shared strategies for enhancing agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and sustainable land management. The accompanying panel discussion moderated by the vice chairman of IAAS, Wee Liang Tan explored innovative approaches to address cliamte change, water scarcity and other environmental factors affecting food production.
2. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA): This theme offered participants an insight into CEA's potential to revolutionise food production, while inspiring attendees to explore new frontiers in urban farming and contribute to building a healthier and greener world. The sessions were followed by a panel discussion moderated by chairman of IAAS, Cheng-I Wei, providing a deeper insight into CEA practices and encouraging collaborations.
3. Agriculture innovation systems: This theme explored the role of technology and research in driving agricultural progress, with sessions focussing on the integration of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and blockchain in agriculture. Speakers provided valuable insights into precision farming, biotechnology, and sustainable practices, fostering an environment where innovation meets sustainability. The panel discussion that followed was moderated by executive secretary of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APPARI), Ravi Khetarpal, who highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange to accelerate transformative agricultural solutions.
For more information, visit: https://iaas.org.sg/
