An international 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.
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."
Themed "Harnessing synergies of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity towards food and nutrition security and improved livelihoods," the conference was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from November 19 to 22, 2024.
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: sustainable agricultural intensification practices, biodiversity enhancement, promotion of food and nutrition security in schools and communities, and agripreneurship and social enterprise.
Keynote speeches and conference messages were delivered by Dr. Bunthan Ngo, rector of the Royal University of Agriculture; Dr. Lyda Hok, Center director of CE SAIN; Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Center director; and Dr. Dexter Galban, assistant secretary of the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd).
Galban underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity in meal planning, highlighting strategies, such as incorporating indigenous foods and recognizing local agricultural diversity.
He said that DepEd employs a multifaceted approach to impart agricultural knowledge and develop future farming leaders in its educational programs, and reinforces the link between school gardens, nutrition, and sustainable communities.
The conference focused on mainstreaming agrobiodiversity to promote climate resilience, nutrition, livelihoods, and ecosystem health.
It 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 Hok, 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.
Discussions were held on promoting planet-friendly school meals, implementing national and regional school-based food and nutrition (SBFN) initiatives, ensuring farmer inclusion in the programs, and encouraging youth engagement in agriculture.
They 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 was also pointed out as key in capacity building and technology transfer.
The session brought together experts from various fields, including Charlotte Masiello-Riome, Communications and External Engagement officer of the School Meals Coalition; Dr. Danny Hunter, principal scientist at the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT; Bernice Anne De Torres, program coordinator at RTLD-SEARCA; Shiela V. Anunciado, program manager for Food Security and Nutrition/Food Systems at the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction; and Dr. Leangsrun Chea, Agricultural Technical manager at CE SAIN.
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 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.
Alongside the plenary and parallel sessions was the two-day mobile workshops that provided attendees with practical insights into sustainable farming, biodiversity enhancement, and nutrition-driven initiatives.
This included visits to 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.