Agricultural Research for Development Conference – 2017
Rural populations, still a majority in developing countries are usually marginalized and living in poverty. These small-scale farmers support one third of the global population. Agenda 2030 focuses on eradicating poverty by 2030, and on “leaving no one behind”. A crucial focus must be the rural poor who depend on agriculture and related services for their livelihoods.
There is today a rapid migration of the rural poor to swelling urban centres in search of better job opportunities and improved livelihoods. A large part of these rural migrants succeeds in finding better life, but for many the hopes of a better future often turns into a nightmare of economic and social insecurity. Rural-urban linkages may have a positive impact on the rural poor connecting them to economic incomes and development opportunities. A rural transformation linked to pro poor inclusive growth and urban dynamics can thus be a critical component of sustainable development as a whole.
Key to reaching the goals of Agenda 2030 is Rural transformation, which is about social and economic transformation going hand in hand within the framework of environmental boundaries. The IFAD 2016 Report points to increased productivity of agricultural production as a crucial element to reach an inclusive rural transformation, as there is a tremendous gap between the most productive and the least productive of small holder farmers. In order to achieve this, we need improved health and education as a base, and access to water, inputs, markets, value chains and knowledge. We also need systems to avoid food loses, a secure access to land, and basic credits, and measures for adapting to and mitigating climate change. All these elements are at our hands but must be coupled with social and political transformations.
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Swedish International Agriculture Network Initiative (SIANI) are pleased to announce the Agri4D 2017 Conference. This is a two day event for researchers and professionals working with and/or interested in agriculture for development. Master and PhD students, senior scientists, experts from social, political, soils, crops, natural resources and animal science, economy, forestry, horticulture, veterinary medicine etc. are encouraged to participate.
Keynote speakers and sessions
Keynote speakers to the conference include Ingrid Öborn (ICRAF and SLU), Bimbika Sijapati Basnett (CIFOR), Thomas Jayne (Michigan State University – MSU), Antony Chapoto, (Indaba agricultural policy research institute – IAPRI, Zambia), Pay Drechsel (International Water Management Institute – IWMI), Nighisty Ghezae, (International Foundation for Science – IFS) and Luc Mougeot (International Development Research Centre – IDRC).
We will have three parallel thematic sessions on each day of the conference. The poster session will open on the first day. For more detailed information, please see the conference program and this web page.