Africa
July 31, 2012

Overview of the 10th African Crop Science Society Conference held in Maputo, Mozambique from the 10th to 13th of October 2011

The 10th ACSS Conference emphasized the role of research on providing new and improved livelihood opportunities for farmers in Africa, which will impact on their income generation and food security. With the theme “From soil to soul - crop production for improved African livelihoods and a better environment for future generations” the Conference intended to highlight Africa’s potential to grow crops as well as the complex and challenging agricultural issues still troubling the continent.

To accomplish this conference’s goal, a unique learning, dynamic and interactive environment was provided. The conference involved a wider range of learning opportunities:

• Key note presentations;
• Thematic oral presentations;
• Thematic poster presentations;
• Symposia;
• Workshops;
• Exhibitions;
• Field visits;
• Public launch of new projects;
• Social events and
• Awards

The conference was attended by nearly 450 participants from 36 countries. A total of 342 papers were presented and nearly 200 people went on field visits (see conference statistics in Table 1). Papers submitted for the conference will be screened by the African Crop Science Journal for publications either in the proceedings or as a paper in the journal. The overall feeling of the participants is that the conference was well organized and responded to their expectations (see Table 2).

The African Crop Science Society General Assembly was held on the last day of the Conference. During the meeting, several important issues related to the Society organization were discussed. New society council members were elected. Cameroon was the country selected to host the 11th ACSS Conference in 2013.

For more details, kindly, visit our website at http://www.acss.ws/?t=a_conf&s=4

Website: http://www.acss.ws

Published: July 31, 2012