SABRAO and CSSP to host crop science and breeding mega conference

MANILA—The Society for the Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania (SABRAO) and the Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP) have teamed up to gather top agricultural minds at the Crimson Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa City on in an international conference themed “Emerging Paradigms in Crop Science and Breeding: Cultivating Sustainable Solutions and Partnerships for a Resilient Future.”

Co-organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the event will showcase groundbreaking research, innovative farming practices, and robust collaborations to address pressing food security challenges.

“This packed agenda of the joint CSSP-SABRAO conference promises to be a goldmine of knowledge for anyone invested in the future of agriculture,” said Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Center Director and SABRAO President.

Renowned scientist Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr., an Academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony on August 13.

A stellar ensemble

Day 1 comprises a powerhouse lineup of plenary sessions featuring leading agriculture experts from across the globe. Dr. Ajay Kohli, Deputy Director General for Research of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), will set the stage in discussing the changing paradigms in crop science and breeding.

A panel of Filipino and international heavyweights will then delve into emerging solutions, from the local insights of DOST-PCAARRD Technical Consultant Ramon Rivera and Dr. John De Leon, Executive Director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), to IRRI Senior Scientist Dr. B.P. Mallikarjuna Swamy’s global perspective.

The future of farming will take center stage in the plenary session on transformative crop innovations toward regenerative agriculture with Ms. Jean Somera, Asia Breeding Corn Product Unit Lead of East Asia & Pakistan Cluster, Research and Development of Bayer Crop Science.

AI and digital agriculture will also be in focus in a panel discussion with industry leader Philippine FarmFix Solutions, Inc. President and CEO Joel Laserna sharing his vision along with Engr. Stephen Klassen, IRRI Senior Scientist; Dr. Yubin Yang, Senior Biosystems Analyst of Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center; and Binhi Inc. CEO Rodel Anunciado.

Nutrition and sustainability will round out the day’s agenda. Dr. Howarth Earle Bouis, Emeritus Fellow of the International Food Policy Research Institute and 2016 World Food Prize Laureate, will discuss crops for a nutrition-secure future.

A stellar panel will then tackle the complexities of forging sustainable partnerships in crop science and breeding. The panel discussants are Dr. Manuel Logroño, Maize Life & Farming (MLFARMS) President and Founder; Dr. Reynaldo Ebora, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director; Dr. Eureka Teresa Ocampo, University of the Philippines Los Baños Institute of Crop Science Director; Asia & Pacific Seed Association Director Francine Sayoc; and Dr. Ramakrishnan M. Nair, World Vegetable Center (South and Central Asia) Global Plant Breeder.

Deep dives and honors

Day 2 is all about the nitty-gritty of research, with scientists presenting their latest findings in oral and poster sessions. Topics range from boosting crop yields to developing new food products. These entries focus on crop production and management, crop physiology and biochemistry, postharvest handling, processing and utilization, health and nutrition, technology development and commercialization, technology extension, dissemination and education (TEDE), and socioeconomics.

The conference wraps up on Day 3 with expert-led workshops on crafting winning research papers. Dr. Annalissa Aquino, Managing Editor of the Philippine Journal of Crop Science, will discuss technical writing for scientific journals, while Dr. Naqib Ullah Khan, SABRAO Editor-in-Chief, will lead the seminar on submitting articles to international journals.

The best and brightest will then be recognized with awards, and new members and trustees will be sworn in by SABRAO and CSSP.