Tuesday, 26 January 2016 10:13

Ag biotechnologies focus of international symposium

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

The symposium focuses mainly on the biotechnologies that could result in yield increases, better nutritional qualities, improved productivities of crops, livestock, fish and trees.

Exploring how agricultural biotechnologies can benefit small-holder farmers particularly in developing countries will be the subject of an international symposium next month.

The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) is hosting the symposium 'The Role of Agricultural Biotechnologies in Sustainable Food Systems and Nutrition' at its headquarters in Italy from February 15-17. The event will be webcast live.

The contribution of a wide spectrum of biotechnologies to sustainable food systems and nutrition will be covered. A high-level ministerial segment will take place on February 16.

The symposium focuses mainly on the broad range of biotechnologies that could result in yield increases, better nutritional qualities, improved productivities of crops, livestock, fish and trees.

These biotechnologies encompass a wide range of low-tech to high-tech approaches which can make the development of improved varieties and breeds that adapt to the effects of climate change, faster and more efficient.

The focus is on agricultural biotechnologies that are currently available and ready to use by smallholder producers, including low-tech approaches involving artificial insemination, fermentation techniques, biofertilisers etc. up to high-tech approaches involving advanced DNA-based methodologies

While the symposium encompasses genetically modified organisms (GMOs), they are not its main focus.

Students from several universities around the world will be able to participate in an online interactive session to identify and convey key messages to policy and decision makers.

More like this

CO₂ hot water system slashes dairy shed energy costs

A Taupo company says it's the first to bring CO₂-powered water heating technology to New Zealand dairy sheds, helping farmers cut energy costs by up to 85%.

Meyer Cheese invests $3.5 million in state-of-the-art Waikato facility

Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.

Changing Climate: A taste of the future

A high-resolution vineyard view of ecoclimatic indicators, and how they impact wine quality, can turn “climate insights into strategy”, says climate risk specialist Pete Taylor. “Whether you’re a grower, winemaker, or industry leader, understanding the future is key to staying ahead.”

A Thousand Gods

I like to think that when Simon Sharpe and Lauren Keenan heard they'd been named The Real Review Rising Star of the Year, they cried out "miladiou!"

One-horsepower solution

David Herd broke boundaries when he planted Marlborough's first vineyard in 1892, surrounded by sheep and crops.

Featured

Australia develops first local mRNA FMD vaccine

Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.

Ministry for the Environment to sponsor Ballance Farm Environment Award

The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).

NZ household food waste falls again

Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.

Editorial: No joking matter

OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.

DairyNZ plantain trials cut nitrate leaching by 26%

DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.