World Congress on Conservation Agriculture
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) have joined forces to hold the 5th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture (WCCA), incorporating the 3rd Farming System Design Conference (FSD). The conference brings a unique opportunity to discuss the application of conservation agriculture principles from a farming systems perspective. At the meeting the participants will discuss conservation agriculture principles in both large-scale, high-tech commercial farms, and small-scale low-cost smallholder farms from developing regions in the world in the context of food security concerns, increasing food demand and climate change. The event expects to attract over 700 scientists, students, farm managers, policy makers, conservationists and others interested in sustainability, conservation and farming systems.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) have joined forces to hold the 5th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture (WCCA), incorporating the 3rd Farming System Design Conference (FSD). The conference brings a unique opportunity to discuss the application of conservation agriculture principles from a farming systems perspective. At the meeting the participants will discuss conservation agriculture principles in both large-scale, high-tech commercial farms, and small-scale low-cost smallholder farms from developing regions in the world in the context of food security concerns, increasing food demand and climate change. The event expects to attract over 700 scientists, students, farm managers, policy makers, conservationists and others interested in sustainability, conservation and farming systems.
The Conference will maintain the essential qualities of a lively scientific conference, guided by an international program committee, to provide:
- Maximum opportunity for interaction in varying fora.
- Presentation opportunities for the greatest possible number of delegates.
- Flexibility to accommodate different formats for different topics.
This will be achieved in a framework of plenary sessions providing small numbers of:
- Keynotes addressing broad conference themes.
- Panel discussions and workshops of contentious issues.
- "So What?" sessions of moderated discussion of real-world implications
Backed up by parallel sessions on four themes (see Themes), each of which will include:
- Presentations of one or more "lead" papers.
- Orals.
- Poster papers, both traditional and electronic.
- Workshops debating important selected issues.
Augmented by a mid-conference field day and tour on September 28th.
- This event will highlight the results, equipment and techniques of CA and FSD - related research and practice. Our objective will be to provide live demonstrations whether in the field, laboratory or computer screen, backed up in some cases with workshop discussions. As well as visiting some research facilities, participants will meet farmers managing CA and Landcare approaches in commercial operations - large/ extensive, small/intensive and horticultural.
The thematic scope of the scientific program will be guided by the following Themes:
Theme 1: More efficient management practices for Conservational Agriculture to improve livelihoods/profitability/food security and to reduce environmental footprint;
Theme 2: Designing productive farming systems that integrate solutions and balance trade-offs;
Theme 3: Achieving impact through more effective consultation, participation and knowledge sharing;
Theme 4: Informing policy development and supporting market effectiveness.