Website: https://issasr.casconf.cn/

Background

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #2 seeks to deliver Zero Hunger by 2030. However, since 2015, hunger and global food insecurity have actually increased at an alarming rate (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/hunger/). Globally, subtropical regions support over 30% of the world’s population, primarily in developing countries where farm land and food supply per capita comprise only 40% of those in developed countries. Meeting the SDG Goal of achieving zero hunger in the face of on-going population growth in subtropical regions will require a significant increase in agricultural production whilst minimizing soil degradation and the adverse ecological impacts of farming. Such challenges are shared by many countries across tropical and subtropical regions in South Asia, Africa and Central and South America.

Rice cultivation, dietary husbandry, and freshwater aquaculture are the primary patterns of agricultural production in both subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. China has a clearly demonstrated track-record in promoting and ensuring agricultural productivity, but this has often resulted in negative ecological and environmental impacts, including soil degradation and environmental pollution. China’s response was to initiate in 2000, its “green and high-quality strategy for agricultural development”. Implementation of this strategy has resulted in major research and innovation programs focused on ‘Green Agriculture’ designed to promote and advance agricultural productivity and farm incomes in ways that protect and restore agricultural and natural ecosystems in subtropical regions.

The 4th International Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture for Subtropical Regions (ISSASR-4) is being held to encourage scientific exchange on the over-arching theme of ‘Ecosystem Management and Agriculture Green Development in Subtropical Regions’. The scientific program will cover strategically important areas including (i) regional resources and ecosystems management for enhancing agricultural productivity, (ii) green crop and animal production and (iii) minimizing the adverse environmental impacts of agricultural production such as pollution and GHG emissions. The developing role of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Smart Farming in agriculture, has been identified as a specific topic for the symposium.

The ISSASR-4 agenda and list of speakers whilst focused on the unique attributes of subtropical agriculture, also brings together key researchers from across the world to share their knowledge and expertise on how the lessons learned in temperate regions could be used to sustain agricultural development in the tropics.

1.Theme and Topics

Theme: Ecosystem Management and Agriculture Green Development

Topic 1. Active Management of Resources, Ecosystems and Agricultural Production

Contents include but are not limited to: Connectivity amongst food, energy, water, and ecology; Structure and process optimization in ecosystems and the role of agroecosystems in GHG mitigation and pollution control; Integrated strategies for regional resources, ecosystems and agricultural production.

Topic 2. Environmental regulation and green production

Contents include but are not limited to: Biological resources and plant breeding for promoting crop productivity; Soil nutrient cycling and fertility improvement; Green production of paddy rice; Remediation of pollution and GHGs in farmlands; Ecological function enhancement and mixed agriculture development in wetland areas.

Topic 3.Green Animal Husbandry and the completion of cropping-animal production system

Contents include but are not limited to: Regulation of livestock and poultry physiological metabolism and animal health; Nutrition optimization and livestock efficient farming; Precision nutrition and intelligent husbandry; Farming waste resource utilization and agropastoral models

Topic 4. Big Data Resources and Smart Agriculture Development

Contents include but are not limited to: Information Resource Development and Agricultural Internet of Things; Intelligent management and efficient production.

2.Organization

Lead Organization

Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Science, China

Partner Organizations

Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS

Youth Innovation Promotion Association, CAS

Ecological Society of Hunan Province

Agricultural Society of Hunan Province

Organizing Committee

Chairs

Professor Jinshui Wu, ISA, CAS, China

Professor Tony O’Donnell, Murdoch University and University of Western Australia

Executive Chair

Professor Zhiliang Tan, ISA, CAS, China

Secretary-General

Professor Hongsong Chen, ISA, CAS, China

Contact

Zhengmiao Deng, issasr4@isa.ac.cn

Sponsors

To be confirmed

3.Important Dates

Nov 30, 2023 Deadline for Special Session Proposals

Jan 31, 2024 Deadline for Abstract Submission

Mar 31, 2024 Deadline for Early-Bird Registration

Jun 21, 2024 Arrival and Registration

Jun 22-23, 2024 Opening Ceremony, Scientific Sessions, Poster Presentation and

Closing Ceremony, workshops

Jun 24, 2024 Field trip