You are warmly invited to register for our upcoming event “Soil health and global food security: Research & innovation for productive and sustainable agriculture” on 25 April, from 9.30 (registration) to 13.30, at L42 Business Center, Brussels.
Set against the backdrop of pressing environmental challenges and the need for sustainable agricultural practices, this event aims to delve into the crucial role of research and innovation (R&I) in transforming our food and farming systems, both in Europe and globally.
Policies and investments in R&I are fundamental to realising the objectives outlined in the European Green Deal and the EU ‘’Farm to Fork” strategy. Central to these efforts is the imperative to enhance soil health, ensure long-term food security, and reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture. In this context, the event will spotlight the role of biological inputs in bolstering soil health, enhancing fertility, and boosting agricultural productivity while exploring alternatives to pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
The event will feature presentations and discussions on practical approaches to integrating biological inputs into farming practices, drawing insights from experiences in both the European Union and Africa. Attendees will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting biological control methods, including the development of protocols and the cultivation of farmer awareness. A highlight of the event will be a high-level panel debate featuring experts from diverse backgrounds, who will address barriers to the uptake of biological control and articulate future research needs in the field.
The event will be moderated by the highly skilled Rose O’Donovan, Editor at AGRA FACTS, and will feature high-level speakers from research, policy and industry side, including:
- Lakshmi Manavalan, Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will showcase projects and practices the Gates Foundation has carried out, applying biocontrol technology in different scenarios.
- Herman Van Mellaert, President at International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA), the voice of the Biocontrol technologies industry, will give a key-note speech setting the scene, introducing the topic of biocontrol and why it is crucial for sustainable agriculture, while also presenting the activities of IBMA.
- Raveendran Muthurajan, Director of research at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), will delve into TNAU’s research and case studies on biocontrol and agroecology from an Indian point of view.
- Bernard Vanlauwe, R4D Director at IITA, will present their current research project in Nigeria.
- Stefaan De Neve, professor at Ghent University, will share insights from his research on soil nutrients while also raising the critical question of sourcing nitrogen in the future, when there will be no more mineral fertiliser produced.
- Gisela Quaglia, Research Programme Officer at DG AGRI, European Commission, is specialist for biocontrol and bio-pesticides and fertilisers and related research topics under the Horizon programmes.
Bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders, including EU policymakers, regulators, representatives from the organic and agroecological sectors, and members of the scientific community, the event promises to be a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. With participants representing various facets of sustainable agriculture and food systems, the event is poised to catalyze discussions on pressing issues and chart a course for future action.
Following the substantive discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in informal networking during an organic lunch.
Register here to save your spot and download the agenda.