A packed three-day agenda at Brisbane’s encompasses agribusiness, value chains and the bioeconomy; predictive agriculture; sustainable agrifood systems; healthy food production; a state government-backed AgFutures component; and the Harlan conference, this year focused on genetic resources in agriculture.
The TropAg International Agriculture Conference, now in its fourth iteration, aims to ‘shape the science of tomorrow’.
This year’s conference is structured around six themes, delivered as concurrent sessions. The agenda encompasses agribusiness, value chains and the bioeconomy; predictive agriculture; sustainable agrifood systems; healthy food production; a state government-backed AgFutures component; and the Harlan conference, this year focused on genetic resources in agriculture.
A strong speaker line-up features scientists and thought leaders tackling crucial challenges in agriculture and food production.
The event is hosted by The University of Queensland, with support from the Queensland Government via the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, a Scientific Committee, an International Advisory Committee and vital partners and sponsors.
This year’s TropAg kicks off with a limited-entry ticketed pre-conference event on Sunday 30 October: a talk on the Origins of Agriculture from Indigenous food champion Professor Bruce Pascoe and Associate Professor Alison Crowther (5–6.30pm).
The in-person conference is expected to attract around 800 delegates from more than 30 countries.
Conference agenda
The fourth TropAg conference is structured around six themes, making up the symposium program. These will be delivered as concurrent sessions, and include:
- Agribusiness, value chains and the bioeconomy – capturing commercial, social and environmental value through the agricultural supply chain, via various means including upcycling, processing/manufacturing, commercialising Indigenous ingredients, and optimising food systems and value chains;
- Predictive agriculture – data-driven tools that integrate a vast array of agricultural, biological, climatic and hydrological data into predictive models that support decision-making for farmers and breeders;
- Sustainable agrifood systems – particularly tropical and subtropical animal and plant production systems – including symposia discussing novel ways to reduce methane/GHG emissions in production systems and achieve greater productivity with reduced inputs as well as automation and digital technologies in intensive horticultural systems.
- Healthy agriculture and food for healthy communities – transforming food and agriculture systems to focus on producing health-promoting foods, with discussion of food safety, environmental and animal-welfare credentials, biosecurity and pest and disease management, ‘free-from’ and targeted foods, precision nutrition, and population-level dietary change;
- AgFutures, hosted by the Queensland Government, showcasing agri-technology and investment across the state, including the latest technology and innovations in digital and data platforms, robotics, satellites and biotechnologies; and
- The fourth international Harlan conference, www.harlanIV.com this year held in conjunction with TropAg, putting a spotlight on emerging issues from the history of agriculture and on the evolution, conservation and use of genetic resources from animals, plants and microorganisms in agriculture.
Plenary speakers
The conference’s six plenary speakers comprise agriculture sector leaders and scientific experts. The are:
- Ms Su McCluskey
- Dr Haven Baker
- Prof Paul Gauthier
- Hon Prof Henrietta Marrie AM
- Dr Angelique D’Hont
- Mr Jimmy Smith.
When and where?
TropAg is scheduled to take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane CBD.
In-person delegate registration starts from 4pm on Sunday 30 October, with a ticketed pre-conference event featuring Prof. Bruce Pascoe and Assoc. Prof. Alison Crowthey running from 5-6.30pm. The conference proper runs from 8am on Monday 31 October (registrations from 7am) to 5.30pm on Wednesday 2 November 2022.
Further information and registration
For more information, visit the official event website or contact the organisers via phone on +61 7 3848 2100 or email: TropAgHarlan@expertevents.com.au.
To buy tickets to the conference or pre-conference event, click here.