The
Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT (CIAT-TSBF) and the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Nairobi invite
participation in an innovative conference intended to critically analyze
agricultural technologies, innovative microbial based products and land
management strategies benefiting small-scale agriculture in Africa.
CONCEPT
This
conference assembles the strengths of several organizations and collaborative
research projects committed to designing, refining and delivering potent
solutions to food insecurity and agricultural resource degradation in
sub-Saharan Africa. A particular focus of this conference deals with the comparison
and scaling-up of candidate breakthrough technologies, monitoring and
evaluation of their impacts within rural settings and along agricultural value
chains and strategies to increase human and institutional capacities in
Integrated Soil Fertility Management.
Examples
of these breakthroughs include better management of Biological Nitrogen
Fixation and other beneficial biological processes (e.g. Mycorrhizal
associations); strategic combination of biological, organic and mineral
resources in the management of soil fertility and land quality and the
commercialization and adoption of new biotechnologies.
The
conference will feature invited keynote speakers in plenary sessions, followed
by sessions of related thematic oral and poster presentations. A policy forum
linking scientists and policy makers will be also included in the program.
Excursions will be also part of the program. The conference will result in
electronic proceedings that include its presentations and posters, and short
papers based upon them; and is intended to provide guidance to the agricultural
research, extension and development community working with African small-scale farmers.
OBJECTIVE OF CONFERENCE
The
aim of this conference is to critically analyze agricultural technologies,
innovative products and land management strategies benefiting small-scale
agriculture in Africa.
EXPECTED
PARTICIPANTS
It
is expected that representatives from FAO, African Union, and regional and
national research and policy bodies will attend.
The number of expected participants is 300.
KEYNOTE
SPEAKERS
The
following speakers have tentatively confirmed to give keynote addresses at the
conference:
Opening
ceremony: Prof
Bernard Vanlauwe, IITA; Setting the scientific scene for Integrated soil fertility
management in Africa – where are we, how did we get here and where do we want
to be?
Theme
1: Advancing
plant-microbe interactions in crop nutrition; Dr Joanna Dames, Rhodes
University; Mycorrhizal Agrotechnology for Africa: Challenges and Future
Prospects.
Theme
2: Enhancing
biological nitrogen fixation in African smallholders (AABNF 15): Dr Rachid
Serraj, ICARDA; How can market-led approaches within ISFM enhance biological
nitrogen fixation in Africa small-holder farming systems?
Theme
3: Exploring
options for sustainable intensification and diversification of farming systems;
Prof Ken Giller, WU; N2Africa - Exploring options for sustainable intensification and
diversification of farming systems through integration of grain legumes.
Theme
4: Identifying
bottlenecks and opportunities for implementation of ISFM: African Union
representative (TBC); Policies for implementation of ISFM in Africa.
Theme
5: Commercializing
breakthrough technologies: Teresah N. Wafullah, BIOFIX Manager, MEA Ltd; Commercialization
of breakthrough ISFM technologies – what, how, who and when?
Theme
6: Building
capacity in Integrated Soil Fertility Management; Dr Shaukat Abdulrazak,
National Council for Science and Technology; Diversifying
and strengthening the capacity base for ISFM in Africa – the way forward.
The ISFM conference will take place at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi
Contacts for the Conference:
Dr. Ken Dashiell, Co-chair
Dr. Saidou Koala, Co-chair
Prof. Nancy Karanja, Coordinator of AABNF 15 Sessions
Dr Joyce Jefwa, Coordinator of AFRINOM workshop, second edition
For further information on the conference, please see www.ISFMAfrica2012.org or contact isfmafrica2012@cgiar.org
