Scientists gather to support diet and livelihoods of 2 billion relying on roots and tubers

17th October 2012
by manager

Agrinatura News

International symposium, 24 – 28 September 2012, Nigeria

Scientists from 42 countries around the world gathered in Nigeria for the 16th Triennial International Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC). Root and tuber crops are important for the diets and livelihoods of 2 billion people, the majority in developing countries.

The ISTRC, formed in 1967, is the only forum in the world for bringing together root and tuber crop scientists and researchers under the same roof.

The symposium was held 24-28 September 2012 and was hosted by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria. It was attended by more than 360 people including scientists, students, donors and policy makers. The theme of the symposium was ‘root and tuber crops, development and climate change’.

A total of 207 oral presentations were accepted along with 142 posters. Adjacent open meetings were hosted by a number of initiatives including some funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and some by the EU.

Professor Keith Tomlins of the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of the University of Greenwich was elected as the new President, succeeding Professor Andrew Westby. Keith said; “Research into root and tuber crops is often neglected. Through the ISTRC I am keen to support early career scientists to gather new knowledge to support the diets and livelihoods of the 2 billion people in developing countries who consume these crops”.