This 51th annual meeting in Suriname will consist of several sessions regarding the central theme: Food safety, innovation and quality in green agriculture: The way forward to food security for the Caribbean.
Food security, a buzz word these days
Food security includes the availability of good quality food, having sufficient purchasing power to buy good quality food and the degree of resistance to price shocks. Worldwide, more than one billion people go to bed hungry. Food security is under pressure, even in the Caribbean, through conversion of agricultural land for other purposes. The growth of the world population above the carrying capacity, and climate change are constraining factors. Food nutrition security is of utmost importance when countries are developing their goals, policies and priorities.
Agriculture, environment, climate and biodiversity: challenges for research and innovation
Agricultural activity has a direct impact on the environment through application of fertilizers and the use of pesticides. As a result, the quality and composition of the soil, water or air is influenced thereby affecting the ecological balance and biodiversity. Research and development are the foundation of productivity and innovation in any sector.
The specific challenges for the agriculture and food sectors relate to the changing climate and greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity, increasing pressure on inputs such as land, water, energy and nutrients; rising, competitive and fluctuating demand for agricultural commodities; demand for the production of public goods and the need to reduce overall environmental impact. All this must be handled through efficient management of resources.
Basic research provides essential underpinning knowledge, but this should be captured and translated into practical solutions at farm and landscape levels and for a wide range of different crops, farm types and livestock species. Technology has always been at the core of agricultural practices and the agricultural sector is also a user of and innovator in science and technology and an actuator of innovation.
Agriculture and ecosystem services: a vector for blue and green economy
The conference theme contributes to new insights, best practices and new partnerships to achieve that sufficient resources devoted to guarantee farmers a reasonable income, a sustainable reform of the Caribbean, sound agricultural policy and to provide a qualitative, safe, healthy, environmentally friendly and affordable food and ensure a sustainable development for all Caribbean nations. To meet these challenges, we must work on agricultural innovations considering sustainability, and taking into account the cost efficiency and legal issues. The growing importance of innovation in agriculture must also be recognized. In the processing sector the support to the agri-food sector is necessary for innovative investments and assured quality of agricultural products. Therefore more focus should be placed on appropriate incentives and assessment framework for innovation and quality in the agri-food sector in collaboration with experts (government, universities, and business sector). Caribbean countries are faced with low agricultural productivity. Higher productivity is therefore an important part of the solution, but with less water, energy, fertilizers and pesticides. Through technology transfer and innovation in the field of agriculture and food sustainability we can contribute to addressing the world food problem, innovation and green agriculture. Increase in investment in research and innovation towards the agriculture and horticulture sectors as a whole is necessary, but it will require a continuous process of training, retraining, training and education so that we can ensure that agricultural workers themselves possess the necessary skills to meet the challenges of productivity and sustainability needs.
For ensuring proper exploration, the conference theme is divided into seven sub-themes:
1. The impact of food technology and quality in green agriculture
Research and development with technologies has resulted in advancement in food technology and its linkages with increase in food productivity in line with green agriculture. This sub-theme focuses on such significant areas that would revolutionize the coming generations.
Areas: food technologies, food resources and green agriculture/sustainable agriculture, the use of quality systems to stimulate green agriculture
2. The use and contribution of biotechnology in agriculture
Biotechnology is an important tool that has contributed significantly to enhanced productivity in agriculture. Further to several successions happening in the agricultural sector will be an important step towards food security objectives.
Areas: Food related biotechnologies, crop production through technology innovations, uses and application of biotechnologies in agriculture production
3. The realization of green revolution through sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is increasingly becoming the priority across the world with issues of climate change and ecosystem viability.
Areas: Green revolution in present context, sustainable agriculture, small family farming, contributions and innovations
4. The contribution of soil management to food security
With increase in demand for land resources for food production it has become imperative to have more focus on understanding our soils which need more attention from the view point of a holistic approach to soil health and management.
Areas: Soil health, organic matter, nutrient management, long term food security.
5. Microbial innovations and their impact on food security
Microbial intervention in food productivity has become an innovative approach, which has led to successive advancements in pest control management and increased protein requirements.
Areas: Microbial systems in food production, food security and innovations, impact assessment.
6. The contribution of green agriculture to the green economics
Economics has several implications on agriculture during the recent years that has implored the requirements of green agriculture with lost cost inputs.
Areas: Green agriculture, green economics, green chemistry, green energy, blue and green frames, agro-ecotourism.
7. Food safety and food security in the Caribbean
Caribbean increasing food demand necessitates us in the direction of more productivity with added use of GMF/GMO’s vs. more ecosystem services. This is significant as it also relates to the question of food safety in terms of human consumption of food.
Areas: Food safety issues in the Caribbean, food security issues in the Caribbean, ecosystem services, solutions and evaluations.
The call for abstracts is open till February 20, 2015
Guidelines for Submission of Manuscripts
- All Manuscripts should be emailed to : cfcs2015sur@gmail.com no later than February 20, 2015 for inclusion in the Proceedings.
- The general format is Font 12, Times Roman or Arial, single spaced, 1” x 1” margins, no more than 10 pages including Tables and Figures embedded in text or following Literature Cited TITLE UPPERCASE and centered, address and Email
Example:
The effect of prey species on selected fitness attributes of Nephaspis bicolor (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a predator of Aleyrodidae
Vyjayanthi Lopez1, Moses Kairo2, 1Food and Agriculture Organization, 2nd Floor UN House, Marine Gardens, Christchurch, Barbados, 2University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Maryland 21853 Email:vyjayanthi.lopez@fao.org
Text body should include ABSTRACT and Keywords, INTRODUCTION, MATERIALS AND METHODS, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, Acknowledgements, LITERATURE CITED (Alphabetical order), etc.
Abstract (always first) - Includes the what, why, how, and key results and conclusions of study. Begins with a clear statement of purpose and objective. Located after the title in the upper left corner.
Introduction - State the problem or area of investigation and any background essential to the subject and study approach.
Materials and Methods - Describe with appropriate detail apparatus, lab techniques, statistical analysis, etc. All measurements shall be given in the SI units (Système International d’Unités) of measure.
Results and Discussion – Presentation, interpretation and discussion of experimental data. Use graphs, tables, photos, artwork, etc.
Conclusions (always last) - List key findings, summary, interpretation, management implications/applications.
Acknowledgments - Funding sources, research partners, etc.
Literature Cited - Concentrate on key references only.
Important Dates:
February 20, 2015: Deadline for submission of abstracts to the local secretariat of CFCS2015 Suriname: cfcs2015sur@gmail.com
April 15, 2015: Authors will receive evaluation of their abstracts and instructions on how to submit a related short paper.
June, 15, 2015: Deadline for submission of short papers. Selected authors will receive notification to prepare an oral presentation.
Practical information:
Preliminary information about the Annual CFCS meeting in Suriname can be also found on the http:///cfcs.eea.uprm.edu/ and on Facebook: Caribbean Food Crop Society
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