Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security begins in Bintulu

BINTULU (July 11): The Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (COSAFS) 2024 has commenced at the Parkcity Everly Hotel Bintulu.

This significant event, themed ‘Safety, Sustainability, Security’, is taking place from July 10 to 13 and provides a vital platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

It is organised by the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences of Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB), in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development (M-Ficord).

“The congress provides a platform to learn about innovative agricultural practices, technological advancements, local food systems, national and international food policy along with other initiatives that support sustainable agriculture and food security,” UPMKB said in a statement.

COSAFS 2024 is an umbrella of three concurrent international conferences namely, the 3rd International Scientific Conference on Indigenous Crops (ISCIC); the 2nd International Conference on Fisheries and Animal Sciences (FISAS); and the 2nd International Conference on Food and Industrial Crops (ICFIC).

The third iteration of ISCIC, since its launch in 2018, will concentrate on acknowledging the potential of native plants as farmed crops via sustainable management.

The FISAS, with an emphasis on production, research and conservation, will address crucial concerns with fisheries and livestock for sustainable development.

For the ICFIC, it will concentrate on both crop-oriented and bio-based materials with regard to the sustainable growth of food and industrial crops in Malaysia and around the world.

“These conferences will feature thought-provoking keynote speeches, oral and poster presentations on sustainable agriculture and food security, and are expected to draw more than 300 academics, research scientists, farmers, politicians and officials from the public and commercial sectors,” said UPMKB.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate at the closing ceremony tomorrow (July 12).

The event will witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Sarawak government (Department of Agriculture) and Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad will also present a research collaboration grant to UPMKB during the ceremony.