By: Kevin Piato
I presented a poster in the plant protection and plant health session and it was enriching to learn about related projects. The questions asked during the session were useful. I really enjoyed the friendly and multicultural atmosphere prevailing throughout the conference. The program covered very different topics, which allowed us to have a holistic vision in sustainable resource management. The conference dinner was a good opportunity to socialize and make interesting contacts. The visit to the botanical garden organized by Tropentag was wonderful. It plunged me into another universe and allowed me to enrich my knowledge of cultivated tropical plants. Thanks to Agrinatura and Tropentag and see you soon!
By: Muhammad Ali Mian
I learned a lot on the Tropentag conference. In Kassel I met with different scientists and doctors of different fields and I discuss about their work on sustainable development. Attending an academic conference is an opportunity to build networks with other academics and experts in the same or similar field of studies all around the world and to share thoughts on recent advances and technological breakthroughs. It is an opportunity to expand the knowledge that one has and upgrade performance in accomplishing institutional objectives. Conferences bring together people who share a common discipline from different parts of the world, bringing different forms of ideas which build into something greater. As you step up and attend conferences you build a network of people who can raise your caliber of work to greater heights as you achieve shared objectives. Meeting new people with different cultures and dispositions enlightens your way of thinking in your field of study. You will witness some of the many different aspects and solutions which exist on the same issues. You’ll also have the chance to socialize with your colleagues at coffee breaks, lunches and social activities. Imagine a conference without socializing or learning more about other people’s cultural tradition? This cannot be summed up adequately as people from different parts of the world who have uniqueness in their ways of living which you are often surprised to learn from. It was really learning and now I can easily publish my article in a journal when I presented my paper, I had quite a few helpful questions from the audience and my fellow panelists. These highlighted areas where I could improve the piece. Some of the most helpful were where people didn’t quite understand something in my original paper. This let me know where I needed to add more clarification. Getting feedback on a written draft from other scholars can also help you see which areas need the most development. Thanks once again for the scholarship/grants for travelling to tropentag.
By: Wilson Wilson
New occasions often make me a bit nervous, and my first oral presentation at Tropentag was no exception. Coming a long way from Tanzania to Wageningen University in the Netherlands, I was among the awardees of the AGRINATURA travel grant to attend the Tropentag conference held in Kassel, Germany from 18th to 20th September 2019. The Tropentag is an annual interdisciplinary conference on research in tropical and subtropical agriculture, natural resource management and rural development. This year, more than 700 participants from 80 nationalities participated in the Tropentag conference. The theme for Tropentag this year was “Filling gaps and removing traps for sustainable resource management”.
During the conference, I gave an oral presentation within the value chains and markets session titled “The Role of the Integrated Maize-Soybean-Chicken Value Chains in Sustaining Diverse Diets in Tanzania”. The focus was on these value chain(s) as integrating soybeans in the maize-chicken value chains might increase the productivity of chickens by providing nutrient-dense feed. These chickens are needed to meet the growing demand for eggs and meat in the country.
Attending the Tropentag conference has been a great opportunity to learn from others and networking with international research communities. During the last day of the conference, I joined an amazing excursion where we visited community gardens within the city of Kassel. Despite the dry autumn season, it was very interesting to see how the community grows organic vegetables and medicinal plants within the city. The wooden crate raised garden was the best option for gardeners since they may not need to bend or kneel as far to reach the plants. I think it is better for every city, globally, to set areas for community gardens to enhance the efficient use of land for food production for city dwellers and provides a learning opportunity, particularly for the children raised in the cities 🙂
