The participants and organizers of the CE SAIN-SEARCA Joint International Conference 2024.
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), through its Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD), teamed up with the Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN) for the CE SAIN-SEARCA Joint International Conference 2024: The Fourth International Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (SAIN4) and the Third School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement Enterprise (SHGBEE3) Conference held on 19–22 November 2024 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Themed "Harnessing synergies of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity towards food and nutrition security and improved livelihoods," this year's conference provided a platform for tapping into the shared potential of sustainable agricultural intensification practices and biodiversity for food and nutrition security and improving livelihoods of households and communities, and resilient ecosystems.
Attendees took part in parallel sessions where they presented their paper presentations. They also had the opportunity to interact with fellow experts and researchers during the poster presentations.
More than 120 attendees participated in the conference, featuring 64 paper and poster presentations from the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the USA. The presentations focused on four thematic areas: (a) sustainable agricultural intensification practices, (b) biodiversity enhancement, (c) promotion of food and nutrition security in schools and communities, and (d) agripreneurship and social enterprise.
Distinguished keynote speeches and conference messages were delivered by Dr. Bunthan Ngo, Rector of the Royal University of Agriculture; Dr. Lyda Hok, Center Director of CESAIN; Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Center Director; and Dr. Dexter Galban, Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd). Dr. Galban underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity in meal planning, highlighting strategies such as incorporating indigenous foods and recognizing local agricultural diversity. He mentioned that DepEd employs a multifaceted approach to impart agricultural knowledge and develop future farming leaders in its educational programs. Additionally, it reinforces the link between school gardens, nutrition, and sustainable communities.
Clockwise from the top: Dr. Bunthan Ngo, Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Dr. Lyda Hok, and Dr. Dexter Galban deliver keynote speeches and messages during the conference.
The second-day plenary session focused on mainstreaming agrobiodiversity to promote climate resilience, nutrition, livelihoods, and ecosystem health. It also emphasized collective action through SHGBEE initiatives and sustainable agricultural practices, such as diversifying crops and improving seed access to enhance nutrition and agricultural value. The discussion was led by Dr. Hok, Dr. Gregorio, and Dr. Jai Rana, Senior Scientist and Country Representative for India Office of the Alliance of Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT).
The third day of the conference was jam-packed with discussions on promoting planet-friendly school meals, implementing national and regional school-based food and nutrition (SBFN) initiatives, ensuring farmer inclusion in the SBFN programs, and encouraging youth engagement in agriculture. It stressed the need for a holistic approach to sustainable health and human nutrition, incorporating education, agriculture, and community engagement. Collaboration among the academe, government, and private sector is also key in capacity building and technology transfer.
The session brought together experts from various fields, including Ms. Charlotte Masiello-Riome, Communications and External Engagement Officer of the School Meals Coalition; Dr. Danny Hunter, Principal Scientist at the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT; Ms. Bernice Anne De Torres, Program Coordinator at RTLD-SEARCA; Ms. Shiela V. Anunciado, Program Manager for Food Security and Nutrition/Food Systems at the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR); and Dr. Leangsrun Chea, Agricultural Technical Manager at CE SAIN.
From left: Ms. Charlotte Masiello-Riome, Dr. Danny Hunter, Ms. Bernice Anne De Torres, Ms. Shiela Anunciado, and Dr. Leangsrun Chea lead the plenary discussions on the third day of the workshop.
Meanwhile, panel discussions moderated by Dr. Manuel Reyes, Adjunct Professor at Kansas State University and SEARCA Senior Fellow, and Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari, Program Head of RTLD-SEARCA, zeroed in on integrating sustainable agriculture and biodiversity for improved food security and livelihoods as well as fostering multistakeholder collaboration to strengthen school and community food and nutrition systems through school gardening initiatives. The experts called for the involvement of "champions," especially at the local government level, to amplify school and home garden initiatives. They also stressed the importance of raising awareness of nutrition and sustainable agriculture, inspiring youth, and using data-driven decision-making and evidence-based policies, specifically monitoring and evaluation systems.
Dr. Manuel Reyes (leftmost, left photo), Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari (rightmost, right image), and experts were present during the panel discussions.
Alongside the plenary and parallel sessions, a defining component of the conference was the two-day mobile workshops that provided attendees with practical insights into sustainable farming, biodiversity enhancement, and nutrition-driven initiatives. Participants visited the Hang Eco Farm, a nine-hectare model farm that supplies farm produce to local primary schools through school feeding programs; the Somrong Primary School Home Grown School Feeding site supported by the World Food Programme; and CE SAIN's Agricultural Technology Park (ATP), which functions as a multipurpose platform for agricultural technologies, research, internships, and collaborations. They also toured the mini-ATP at the Samdech Euv High School, which engages youth in agriculture through classroom and field activities, and a visit to the Angkor Wat Biodiversity Conservation Area.
The conference participants visited agricultural technology parks, farms, and biodiversity conservation areas in Angkor Wat as part of the mobile workshops.