MAEJO University (MJU) in Chiang Mai, Thailand hosted the 8th UC Graduate Forum on agriculture sustainability on May 18 and 19, 2023, according to Philippine-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio said the forum themed "Future of Agriculture Sustainability: Organic Intelligent Agriculture" was jointly organized with the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), for which the SEARCA serves as secretariat.
Dr. Weerapon Thongma, MJU president and a SEARCA alumnus, thanked UC for accepting MJU as a new member and enabling MJU to host the graduate forum held at Furama Chiang Mai Hotel.
Reiterating the significance of the forum's theme given that humans consume agricultural products daily, he also emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of agricultural products, integrating innovation "in the local wisdom" of communities, and ensuring that new technologies and innovations are affordable to local people.
Thongma opened the forum and reminded the participants of their responsibility to serve society and contribute to the greater good and positive change.
Gregorio congratulated MJU for successfully organizing the graduate forum noting how it had become a regular UC activity, just like the UC Faculty Forum, which has gained traction and has been the hatching ground for new joint projects.
"The 8th UC Graduate Forum was a promising platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation in the area of agriculture sustainability," he said.
A total of 51 research papers were presented during the plenary and parallel sessions on four subthemes.
These subthemes were Smart Agriculture Technologies: Precision agriculture, vertical farming, and innovative agri-products; Sustainable Agricultural Management: Biotechnology, agroforestry, agro-tourism, community-based tourism; Organic Intelligent Agriculture: A way towards ancient farming practices; and Digital Agro-Economy: BCG model, digital economics, and farm management.
Gregorio said the forum explored ways to improve agricultural production, particularly through the utilization of smart farming techniques.
The forum convened at least 70 researchers, experts, practitioners, policymakers, and students from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan.
"The forum facilitated the exchange of ideas, discuss cutting-edge advancements, and develop strategies to overcome the challenges facing food and agriculture systems," Gregorio said.
During the opening of the program, Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, SEARCA senior program head for Education and Collective Learning Department, gave an overview of SEARCA's work and its role in the UC as well as the current membership, programs and activities of the Consortium.