Tag Archives: climate change

Latest News, Newsletter

AGRICULTURE NEWS UPDATES IN ASIA – March 2025

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PRESS RELEASE

New Office Bearers Announced by CropLife Asia

CropLife Asia, the regional voice of the plant science industry, announced a new lineup for the organization’s Office Bearers within the Board of Directors. BASF Senior Vice President, Agricultural Solutions Asia-Pacific Installed as CropLife Asia President.

CropLife Asia and Thai Agricultural Innovation Trade Association Highlight Framework to Enable Secure, Sustainable Food Systems through Collaboration and Innovation

New framework aims to enhance Thailand’s agricultural sustainability while protecting human health through innovative farming practices and responsible crop protection. Read more…

Global News

Report Projects Boost in Demand from GM Food Market in Upcoming Years

The increasing market value of GM food is attributed to the demand for sustainable agricultural practices and food security solutions amidst massive global challenges. Read more…

United Kingdom – Precision Breeding Act progresses through Parliament

The regulations necessary to implement the Precision Breeding Act 2023 for plants in England has now been laid in Parliament and will be voted through in both Houses. Read more…

Governments agree to ease regulation of new-generation GMOs

The EU has moved a step closer to lifting controls on some genetically modified crops after diplomats in Brussels gave the green light on Friday for final talks with the European Parliament, which has already backed a proposal to split them into two categories. Read more…

Country News

Australia

Biologicals, novel approaches no match for herbicides: Outlook

CHEMICALS will remain the most sustainable and efficient primary tool for managing crop pests and weeds into the future, the ABARES Outlook heard last week. Read more…

Australia approves seed treatment to boost wheat production

Australia’s farm chemicals regulator said it has approved a product to tackle crown rot, a fungal disease that destroys several million tons of the country’s wheat and barley crops each year. Read more…

Two-day GRDC Update packs them in at Goondiwindi + PICS

The only two-day Grains Research Update held in Queensland, it is covering a range of topics, including the state of play of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s review of diquat and paraquat use. Read more…

Bangladesh

Govt approves 29 new projects to combat climate change

Key initiatives include research on carbon emissions and climate-resilient agriculture in Bangladesh’s haor wetlands… Read more…

China

China harnesses AI to revolutionize smart breeding, crop development

At the 2025 Seed Congress held from March 20 to 23 in the city of Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, smart breeding took center stage. Read more…

FAO representative speaks highly of China’s agricultural policies

“I think China has put in place very interesting policies to promote agricultural development.’ Read more…

Understanding China’s 2027 Rural Revitalization Plan

In January 2025, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council released the Rural Comprehensive Revitalization Plan (2024-2027) (the “Rural Revitalization Plan” or the “plan”), spurring efforts to grow the agriculture industry and improve conditions for residents in rural areas. Read more…

India

Drone Demonstration Womens Day Celebration; Source: Rehnews.com

CropLife India celebrates International Women’s Day to champion Gender Equality in Agriculture

The program included a Drone demonstration of crop protection products… Read more…

India’s Push for GM Food Crops: Progress Amid Legal Scrutiny

Ahead of a fresh series of hearings in the Supreme Court next month over genetically modified (GM) food crops, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) said there was “progress” on this front. Read more…

Jakarta aiming to ramp up soybean production

The government is looking to develop genetically modified organisms (GMO) to boost domestic soybean production and reduce imports. Read more…

Spurious seeds, pesticides worth Rs 78 lakh seized, seven held

During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused had been engaged in the illegal sale of spurious seeds and fake or expired pesticides for the last five years. Read more…

Haryana Budget Session: Bills to amend 2 central agri laws; four others passed in Assembly

These amendments aim to introduce stringent measures to curb the sale of counterfeit and substandard seeds and insecticides in the state. Read more…

Industry Stakeholders Call for Stringent Laws to Curb Counterfeiting

Industry stakeholders have called for the establishment of dedicated task forces, stricter penalties for counterfeit trade… Read more…

Shivraj and Bill Gates discussed on various topics related to agricultural and rural development

Gates Foundation’s collaboration with India’s Ministry of Agriculture has the potential to expand. India’s Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates discussed the issue of collaboration in the field of ….artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate-resilient agricultural technology… Read more…

Amid debates, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ryots push for genetically modified crops

In the midst of an escalating national debate on the adoption of biotechnologically enhanced crops, including genetically modified (GM) crops, farmers from Telangana and Andhra have stepped forward, urging a science-based approach to policymaking and asserting their right to choose advanced agricultural technologies. Read more…

Indonesia

Bayer Strengthens Indonesia’s Food Security and Health with Science-Based Innovation

Bayer, a global company in the field of Life Science, reaffirms its commitment to supporting the agricultural and health sectors in Indonesia. Read more…

Indonesian Ministries Join Forces to Develop 3mn Hectares Rice Fields for Modern Agriculture Clusters

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Manpower. One key point of the collaboration is the development of 3 million hectares of rice fields and the establishment of modern agriculture clusters. Read more…

Korea

Korea deems U.S. genetically modified potato ‘suitable’ ahead of Trump tariff implementation

Korea’s Rural Development Administration (RDA) has ruled that a genetically modified potato developed by U.S. agricultural firm Simplot poses no environmental risks, clearing one of the final hurdles for its potential import. Read more…

Kang Ho-dong advocates restructuring subsidiaries and reducing rice cultivation in Korea

“We will push for high-intensity restructuring of loss-making affiliates and will reduce the burden even if it means closing them down.” Read more…

Malaysia

Turning to foreign seeds to boost yields

In a bid to increase their yields, some rice farmers have resorted to buying hybrid seeds from China online. Read more…

DNB advocates 5G Technology amongst farming community

Programme seeks to help farmers use 5G for precision farming & cost savings. Read more…

Pakistan

Ban on agrochemicals sparks fears for farming future

A proposed government ban on 12 widely used agrochemicals has triggered alarm across Pakistan’s agriculture sector as experts warn it can cripple crop yields, inflate costs for farmers and destabilise food security. Read more…

Chinese firm to set up Sino-Pak Agricultural Industrial Park, launch e-commerce platform in Urdu

Feidoodoo Cross-Border E-Commerce (Ji Nan) Co, Ltd, a subsidiary of Chinese-listed company Guolian Co, Ltd, has announced plans to establish a Sino-Pak Agricultural Industrial Park in Pakistan and introduce a cross-border e-commerce platform in Urdu. Read more…

Philippines

4 Chinese nationals arrested for selling smuggled pesticides, insect repellents in Cotabato

Law enforcement agents arrested four Chinese nationals selling imported insect repellents and pesticides in an operation. Read more…

1st Solar-Powered Seed Warehouse with Cold Storage Opens in Ilocos

A solar-powered seed warehouse with cold storage and acclimatization rooms is now ready to provide rice farmers with quality seeds to boost food security.  Read more…

FPA taking new approach in regulating biofertilizers

It said the new regulatory approach applies to “emerging products” such as biofertilizer, biopesticide and bio stimulants, FPA Office-in-Charge and Executive Director Glenn DC. Estrada told reporters. Read more…

DA to build 2 soil laboratories in Palawan

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) National Soil Health Program, has officially started the construction of two soil laboratories and the installation of a mobile soil laboratory in Palawan. Read more…

Harvesting hope with AgriConnect: How AI is uplifting Filipino farmers

…a revolutionary change is on the horizon thanks to AgriConnect, an AI-powered application developed by 21-year-old student,  Soj Gamayon. Read more…

Taiwan

Taiwan to Fully Lift Ban on Beef Imports from Japan

Taiwan’s food sanitation authorities plan to fully lift a ban on beef imports from Japan, according to Taiwan’s official Central News Agency. Read more…

Thailand

Thailand seeks India, Vietnam alliance to stabilise rice prices

Thailand is set to hold talks with India and Vietnam about strategies to tackle falling rice prices caused by oversupply, the Commerce Ministry said. India and Vietnam are the world’s two biggest rice exporters. Read more…

Vietnam

Vietnam, US boost agricultural trade

Ambassador Knapper affirmed US support for Vietnam’s sustainable development, particularly in climate change response, natural resource management, and fisheries. Read more…

Digitalizing plant quarantine to promote agricultural exports

The application of new solutions in the world on plant quarantine, for example e-Phyto – also known as Electronic Plant Quarantine Certificate, will create a great driving force to help our country further increase export turnover. Read more…

Public-private partnership for sustainable potato farming enhances the value of Vietnamese agricultural products

After just the first crop, the potato production model in the northern provinces achieved an average yield of 23-26 tons/ha, 8 tons/ha higher than previous crops. Read more…

Application of gene transfer technology, gene editing, breakthrough in the field of plant varieties

After more than 10 years of applying genetically modified corn in Vietnam, the socio-economic benefits for corn farmers and the improvement of farmers’ farming habits have been proven. Read more…

Vietnam and Germany have potential for cooperation on food safety

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam, there is potential for multi-sectoral cooperation between Vietnam and Germany in ensuring food safety throughout the entire production chain. Read more…

Vietnam News Today (Mar. 2): Slovakia Regards Vietnam as Key Partner in Asia-Pacific

PM calls on Japanese firms to see Vietnam as strategic destination; 30 years of Vietnam-US relations: a model of reconciliation and cooperation; Vietnam, Tanzania strengthen ties on 60th anniversary; Slovakia regards Vietnam as a key partner in Asia-Pacific. Read more…

Plant Science Updates

Traditional breeding falls short in boosting soybean photosynthesis

Review: integrated pest management is critical in fight against fall armyworm threat to Asian rice security

Effective dsRNAs” Combat Cucumber Mosaic Virus in Tests

Scientists unlock Wild Barley’s Genetic Secrets for sustainable agriculture

Researchers in Japan Develop Genome Editing Method that Partially Inihibits Gene Function

IRRI Launches AI-Powered Platform to Accelerate Hybrid Rice Breeding and Enhance Food Security

NBRI develops GM cotton resistant to pink bollworm
Genetic discovery puts bigger, tastier tomatoes and eggplants on the horizon

Breakthrough Enhances Biomass and Yield in Tomato Plants with Synthetic Photorespiration

‘Breakthrough’ in fight against fruit flies; Shield against biggest threat to cultivation globally

New paddy varieties in making to reduce urea use by 50%: IRRI scientist

New technology could save declining honeybee populations

Credits to the owners of the news and articles embedded on this post.

Feature Section, Latest News, Newsletter, Video

DON’T MISS OUT: CATCH UP ON OUR LATEST PODCASTS!

In case you’ve missed any of our recent podcasts, now is the perfect time to catch up! We’ve covered some insightful interviews from great leaders in the field of agriculture that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re looking for the latest innovations, expert opinions, or just some engaging conversations, revisiting these episodes will definitely be worth your while. Take a moment to look back and enjoy the valuable content we’ve shared with you!

Ep37 | Emily Rees on Agricultural Innovation and Sustainable Food Systems

In this podcast, hear out Emily Rees, President and CEO of CropLife International, as she emphasizes how agriculture and ag innovation plays a big role in attaining sustainable food systems around the globe. She also touches on challenges that women experience that prevents them to have full participation in different aspects. 
Enabling functioning supply chains, supporting policies, continuous research and development of technologies for a climate smart agriculture – just to name a few of the advocacies and program that CropLife and its members support.

Ep 38 | Prajwal Shahi on Smallholder Farmers and the Importance of Partnerships

Prajwal Shahi, Portfolio Advisor – Agriculture, PRISMA, talks about important innovations that help elevate the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Here, Prajwal highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in pushing agendas forward to alleviate climate change, and also in ensuring a better life for the smallholder farmers.

Ep 39 | Khalil Hegarty on the ASEAN Food Systems Sustainability Report

Here, Khalil Manaf Hegarty, Director of Oxley Hegarty and author of the ASEAN Food Systems Sustainability, speaks about the diversity of food systems, culture and regions, making the idea of “one-size-fits-all” a faulty concept. He also provides context about the EU Green Deal for the food and agriculture industry.

Ep 40 | Erika Balzarelli on Smallholder Farmers and Sustainability
Ep 41 | Francine Sayoc on the Importance of Seed and Partnerships

In Ep 40, Erika Balzerelli, founder of The Sustainable Smallholder, highlights the trends and patterns in the challenges that smallholder farmers face, as well as the roles that cultures and traditions can play in the ways of engaging effectively with them. Learn about the importance of engaging smallholder farmers, and how existing technologies paired with an effective system of providing education and accessibility can help improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers, while being sustainable.

While in Ep 41, we got to discuss about the beginning of the food system – Seeds. Let’s engage with Francine Sayoc, Executive Director of The Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA) as she highlights the importance of educating farmers on the legalities of seeds and the tools that would help farmers with their livelihood. She also stated how public-private partnerships are essential in agriculture, both to the farmer, and the food supply chain.

Hope you had a blast in listening to our podcasts! Subscribe in Asia’s Farm to Fork: 5 Good Questions Podcast through the different channels below.

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Latest News, Press Release

OVER 68% OF FARMERS IN SE ASIA’S BIGGEST CROP-PRODUCING COUNTRIES CLAIM CLIMATE CHANGE AS KEY CHALLENGE

New Research Reveals Growers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand & Vietnam Increasingly Impacted by Effects of Climate Change

Singapore, 30 August 2021 – A finding officially released today highlights a key challenge with regional food production – chiefly that a significant number of growers in Southeast Asia’s largest agricultural-producing countries are concerned with the impact of climate change (68.5%).

This finding, part of new research titled the 2021 ASEAN Farmer Sustainability & Resilience Study, was conducted by leading agricultural and animal health market research company Kynetec and carried out in the first quarter of 2021. CropLife Asia contracted with Kynetec to conduct the survey among 525 corn, rice, fruit and vegetable farmers across Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

The United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released a report warning against the effects of climate change and calling for rapid actions in global cooperation. The report was referred to by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as “code red for humanity” and has spurred additional discourse on how society can support more aggressive climate change action.

“Farmers across Southeast Asia are facing increasing challenges that threaten their livelihood, food supply chain resiliency, and the sustainable supply of safe and nutritious food on which we all depend,” said Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive Director of CropLife Asia. “As the prevalence of climate change-induced droughts, floods and erratic weather patterns continue to grow, Southeast Asia’s smallholder farmers are under tremendous pressure to cope. There is no food and agriculture stakeholder more important than our farmers – and no voice more critical than theirs in the debate around how to make our food systems more resilient. We owe these food heroes our attention and full support.”

While over 68% of farmers surveyed noted the effects of climate change (flood, drought) as a challenge of unique concern, the number of farmers from the Philippines and Vietnam raising their concern with climate change was particularly high. In those countries, the number was 77% and 70% respectively.

The innovative technologies of plant science continue to enable farmers to produce more safe and nutritious food with fewer impacts to the world around us. Biotech crops have been developed with improved traits such as increased yield, better resistance to pests and/or improved nutrition, among others – and allow for sequestration of carbon in the soil through practices such as no-till farming. These are crucial tools that help farmers address global challenges such as food insecurity and climate change.

Meanwhile, farmers rely on crop protection products (or pesticides) to grow more food on less land and raise productivity per hectare. Without pesticides, 40% of global rice and maize harvests could be lost every year and losses for fruits and vegetables could be as high as 50-90%. These losses in yield would likely mean additional land would need to be cleared for agriculture, leading to increased carbon emissions.

More findings from the 2021 ASEAN Farmer Sustainability & Resilience Study are scheduled to be released throughout the remainder of this year.

About CropLife Asia

CropLife Asia is a non-profit society and the regional organization of CropLife International, the voice of the global plant science industry.  We advocate a safe, secure food supply, and our vision is food security enabled by innovative agriculture.  CropLife Asia supports the work of 15 member associations across the continent and is led by eight member companies at the forefront of crop protection, seeds and/or biotechnology research and development.  For more information, visit us at www.croplifeasia.org.

For more information please contact:
Duke Hipp
Director, Public Affairs
CropLife Asia
Tel: (65) 6221 1615
duke.hipp@croplifeasia.org

Feature Section, Latest News

SUDANESE YOUTH LEADER ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURE

By: CropLife International

Nisreen Elsaim

Nisreen Elsaim

There is no planet B. Our earth’s environment must be both preserved and restored in order to secure a sustainable future for generations to come. The United Nations’ 13th Sustainable Development Goal states that we must take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Younger generations of advocates are taking notice of this imminent concern.

To meet these goals, all industries and sectors of the world must make climate change — and the existential threat it poses — a top priority. The agricultural sector is far from an exception. But it will be a solution.

We spoke with Nisreen Elsaim, chair of the United Nations (UN) Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and chair of the Sudan Youth Organization on Climate Change, about the effects of climate change, especially in developing countries, and the role agriculture and plant science can play in combatting it. This interview had been formatted and adapted from its original recording for brevity and clarity.

Can you tell us about the U.N. Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and what you do?

Nisreen Elsaim: The first ever Youth Climate Summit happened in 2019 in New York, right before the Climate Action Summit. Between the two summits, there was some youth involvement with the secretary-general to expand the influence of young people and better recognize their efforts in addressing climate change. One of the recommendations was to establish an advisory board for the secretary-general with young people taking action on climate. This led to the creation of the Youth Advisory Group.

This group is very diverse both in graphical representation and background. For example, Paloma Costa from Brazil represents Latin America and she’s a lawyer. Archana Soreng is from India; she’s in research and comes from an indigenous community. Vlad Kaim is from Moldova; he represents Eastern Europe and he’s the economist of the group. And I represent Africa. My background is in physics, and I have a master’s degree in renewable energy. I’m currently focusing on climate policies.

Our mandate is very simple: we advise the secretary-general on things that young people think should happen within the UN system. We play the role of a bridge between the secretary-general and young people.

What makes developing countries the most vulnerable to climate change? And how have the impacts of climate change been felt in Sudan?

NE: I recorded a video that covers just this. We know that climate change is real and that it is human made. A third of Sudan is covered by desert and desertification is a growing problem. The country has gone through a decades-long civil war and conflict over natural resources. This has put biodiversity, fertile land, food and water security in greater danger and made the country very vulnerable in the face of climate change. Floods destroy buildings, fields and people’s livelihoods, and they will get worse as climate change gets worse.

The country cannot compensate farmers who’ve lost whole harvests to floods. There are some insurance companies, but not everyone has access to them. Many farmers don’t have other options so they stick to agriculture. It’s a risky investment, especially in the flood season, which we know already they cannot change. Some farmers skip the flood seasons and try to intensively do agriculture in different seasons, but others take the risk.

There are many misconceptions about climate change in agriculture. What do you think is the most common myth that you encounter around the two topics?

NE: Well, I think there is more misunderstanding, or misjudging, about the situation. Not only in agriculture, but also with livestock. A lot of people think that eating meat is increasing a lot of emissions in the environment. And it’s true, but in certain climate or weather conditions, it’s different. For example, a cow in Sudan does not produce the same amount of methane as a cow in Poland or in Germany. Why? Because the climate situation in Sudan is very dry and hot. And we all know that methane is actually an organic result of fermentation.

Fermentation requires the presence of water. It needs specific conditions which don’t really exist in a dry, hot country like Sudan, but they do in humid, wet and cold countries like Poland, the Netherlands or Germany. So, it’s not the same impact. It’s not the same effect. And definitely, it’s not the same emission of methane gas.

What tools can help farmers best address the challenges presented by climate change?

NE: Desertification is a huge issue in Sudan and it’s moving very fast, covering big areas. Many tools can help address desertification. One example is center pivot irrigation, where you actually irrigate the crops in circles which helps farmers use water efficiently.

What are the concerns associated with misinformation around climate change and agriculture and the way that our food is produced?

NE: First, farmers who have a misunderstanding of the problem will implement the wrong solution, which perpetuates the problem.

A lot of consumers care about the origin or impact of their food. So, economically it will impact the farmer, especially in countries where farmers sell directly to consumers. If the consumers stop buying from the farmers, the farmers’ livelihoods are at serious stake.

In addition, general misunderstandings create a very negative atmosphere. In a country like Sudan, this will impact the policies, legislation and laws. Policies could be passed without any scientific basis.

What role do you think agriculture can play in helping communities adapt to climate change?

NE: In order for agriculture to help the community adapt to climate change, we must first help the agriculture industry adapt to climate change.

If agriculture becomes somehow immune to — or at least less impacted by — climate change, then it directly helps and supports communities through better food security, economic prosperity and so on. It will secure farmers’ income. It will secure food security, which is very important. And if we ensure a very good agricultural cycle, then we can even have other activities to increase the income and diversity of food. Building the resilience of communities through green jobs like agriculture is key.

What major milestones in the youth movement for climate change are you looking forward to?

NE: One of the things we are looking forward to is the Youth COP that will be held in Milan in September. It will be a very good milestone for the youth movement of climate change and climate diplomacy.

Climate change poses an existential threat to all countries, sectors, industries and businesses on earth — no matter how big or small. The only way to properly tackle this challenge is to work together. The agricultural sector offers much in the way of climate change solutions. The sooner we can dispel myths surrounding agriculture and climate change, the sooner we can more effectively fight back against it.

Latest News

FOOD SECURITY AND BEYOND: THE INTERSECTION OF AGRICULTURE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, BIODIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RIGHTS

By: CropLife International

It’s been 50 years since Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to global food security. Over the last half-century, agriculture has leveraged science and innovation to continue the Green Revolution that Dr. Borlaug started to help grow rural communities and agricultural economies, and sustainably feed our population. This year’s recognition of the World Food Programme for the Nobel Peace Prize shows us that there is still much work to be done to achieve Zero Hunger. Farmers globally are challenged with sustainably growing safe and nutritious foods while adjusting to climate change conditions and working to preserve biodiversity and the environment.

Agriculture is moving beyond just improving food security and can significantly help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A new generation of agriculturalists, environmentalists, and changemakers will help shape how agriculture will intersect with not just climate change, biodiversity, and livelihoods, but also social rights including how agriculture can improve equity and access.

The 2020 World Food Prize and International Borlaug Dialogue is taking place in 2020 from October 12 – 16. This year’s theme is “Breaking New Ground: Building Resilience Today for Improved Global Food Systems Tomorrow.”

CropLife International organized a virtual side event to recognize the achievements of Dr. Norman Borlaug and his impact of farming today, with a panel discussing the journey agriculture will take in the next 50 years. Featuring a welcome from CropLife International President and CEO Giulia Di Tommaso, the panel was moderated by Christine Gould, founder and CEO of Thought For Food and member of the Advisory Committee for the UN Food Systems Summit. Panelists included Michael Doane, Global Managing Director for Sustainable Food and Water at The Nature Conservancy, and Cassia Moraes, Founder and CEO of Youth Climate Leaders.

Don’t have time to watch the full event? Please see a summary below of the panelists’ contributions; their respective fireside chats have also been pulled out into separate videos.

Conservation & Sustainable Agriculture: A Discussion with Michael Doane
Creating a balanced, sustainable relationship with nature is critical for feeding a growing global population today and for future generations. Finding that balance is no easy task, but Michael Doane has spent his career working to ensure agriculture can thrive through a sustainable lens.

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to conserve the land and water that sustains all life on our planet. Michael’s role with The Nature Conservancy is to find ways to scale up conservation outcomes across productively managed farming, ranching and agroforestry landscapes.

CropLife International invited Michael to participate in a virtual fireside chat moderated by Christine Gould. In this interview, Michael highlights that a sustainable relationship with agriculture and nature is not only completely possible, it’s become more mainstream through the adoption of “regenerative agriculture.”

While there is certainly a long way to go, the spark to jumpstart a sustainable restoration agenda exists and is ready to ignite. Watch Michael recount his experiences in advocating for sustainability and share his thoughts on the impact of Dr. Norman Borlaug and the Green Revolution:

Youth Fighting Climate Change: A Discussion with Cassia Moraes
In order to meet our goals in implementing sustainable agricultural practices and mitigating the effects of climate change, we need a grassroots movement. Cassia Moraes’ job is to connect and mobilize youth to grow that movement to fuel progress toward a more sustainable future.
Cassia Moraes founded Youth Climate Leaders, a global youth leadership network dedicated to connecting and organizing youth to fight climate change. Inspired by Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, Cassia has dedicated the better part of the last decade to finding innovative ways to fight climate change.

Cassia sat down with Christine Gould to talk about what the Youth Climate Leaders organization does, how Cassia empowers young people to become climate leaders, and what the plant science industry can to do curb the effects of climate change.

Cassia emphasizes that even though the issue of climate change may seem daunting and overwhelming, anyone can make a difference on the individual level to help mitigate its effects — and this growing movement is cause for optimism. Watch Cassia recount her experiences in advocating for sustainability and share her thoughts on the impact of Dr. Borlaug and the Green Revolution:

Farming Perspectives: Looking to the Future
The side event was organized in partnership with the Global Farmer Network (GFN) and featured a short video interview with two young farmers who work with the Global Farmer Network: Ruramiso Mashumba, Farmer in Marondera, Zimbabwe and Diego Guigou, Agronomist in Dolores, Uruguay. They spoke about the major challenges facing food and feed production today, and what steps can be taken to ensure agriculture continues to flourish in the future.

Click here to read the full interviews with Ruramiso and Diego.

Latest News

FILIPINO CROP SCIENTISTS TACKLE WAYS TO FACE CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBALIZATION

The Federation of Crop Science Societies gathered around 450 crop researchers from different regions of the Philippines for its 24th Scientific Conference in Diversion21 Hotel, Iloilo City on June 13-17, 2017. The conference aims to tackle crop research and its importance in facing climate change and globalization, focusing on its theme: Healthy and safe food production in response to climate change and globalization.

Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, OIC Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry and Director of the DA Biotechnology Program Implementation Unit, stressed that the Philippines is one of the top producers of biotech crops all over the world. He also discussed the Philippine experience in developing and implementing regulations on biotech crop during one of the plenary talks. Dr. Leocardio Sebastian of CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security discussed about the climate change preparedness of the Philippine agriculture industry. He encouraged the use of climate resilient crops to attain food security amid the effects of climate change.

Aside from the plenary talks, the latest crop researches in the Philippines will also be featured in oral and poster presentations. Outstanding researchers will also be honored and awarded during the conference.

This article was taken from ISAAA’s Crop Biotech Update. See the original article here.