Ag Tech and Research News

Conference on innovations for sustainable production of NUS in MENA region

The conference will take place on February 5-6, 2024, in Rabat, Morocco.

19 December 2023, Morocco: Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species (NUS) are gaining recognition for their potential in combating malnutrition, hunger, and the impacts of climate change. These resilient crops, often referred to as minor or underused, offer significant opportunities for improving agricultural sustainability and dietary diversity. However, challenges such as limited awareness, market access, seed availability, and research support hinder their cultivation.

To address these obstacles, ICARDA, the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP), and Mohammed IV Polytechnic University (UM6P) launched AgMIP-MENA, an initiative focused on enhancing the resilience of NUS crops in the MENA region. This effort aligns with global programs like the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) and AIM4Climate, promoting innovation in climate-smart agriculture and driving investments for sustainable food systems.

ICARDA, UM6P, and AgMIP-MENA are organizing a MENA Regional Conference on NUS to further advance these goals. This conference aims to foster collaboration, research, and policy initiatives related to neglected crops.

World-renowned experts in the fields of NUS, digital agronomy, and dryland farming will deliver insightful keynote speeches at the event, which will bring them together with professionals with various backgrounds, including policymakers, scientists, and students from research centers, universities, and national and international organizations, contributing to sustainable transformation in dryland agriculture.

The conference will highlight:

  • Digital agronomy
  • Crop management practices
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation
  • Marketing and consumer preference analysis

The conference will take place on February 5-6, 2024, in Rabat, Morocco, and offers both in-person and online participation options. Researchers interested in contributing are encouraged to register and submit abstracts by January 30, 2024, to k.devkota@cgiar.org.

Also Read: Four New Baby Plum Tomatoes with ToBRFV Resistance

(For Latest Agriculture News & Updates, follow Krishak Jagat on Google News)