CE SAIN–SEARCA
Joint International Conference 2024:
SAIN4 and SHGBEE3

Fourth International Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (SAIN4) and the Third International Conference on School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise (SHGBEE3)

Siem Reap, Cambodia
19-22 November 2024

Theme:

"Harnessing synergies of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity towards food and nutrition security and improved livelihoods"

The Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) are organizing the CE SAIN – SEARCA Joint International Conference 2024: Fourth International Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (SAIN4) and the Third International Conference on School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise (SHGBEE3) on 19-22 November 2024 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The conference aims to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation focused on sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and biodiversity in the community. The SAIN4 and SHGBEE3 Conference will feature a dynamic blend of networking such as keynote speeches, plenary sessions, parallel sessions, oral and poster presentations, and mobile workshops at agricultural technology parks, farms, and biodiversity conservation areas in Angkor Wat.

The Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (SAIN) has adopted the name of Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN) of the Royal University of Agriculture with the overall goal of fostering private-sector innovation, agricultural research, education, training, and extension, and public-sector capacity building through improved collaboration and knowledge sharing that is focused on improving food and nutritional security in Cambodia. SAIN refers to the approach of "Transforming the Agri-Food System" through agricultural innovation research and demonstration, extension to farmers and stakeholders, learning opportunities to students, and networking to exchange information and research findings to leverage agricultural development.

The School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise (SHGBEE) program brings together the interconnectedness of agriculture, education, nutrition, biodiversity enhancement, economics, and enterprise towards achieving food and nutrition security among school children, their families, and the communities. Building on the successes of SEARCA's School-plus-Home Gardens Program (S+HGP), SHGBEE adds focus on biodiversity enhancement and enterprise. SHGBEE's overall goal is to improve the nutritional condition and dietary habits of school-aged children by diversifying and enabling year-round production of locally adapted vegetables through school and home gardening. This also included improving the knowledge and skills of students and teachers in participating schools. Eventually, the school gardens led to the development of home gardens. This contributed to reducing expenses, creating savings, and providing an alternative source of income for families in the community.

Objectives

The SAIN4 and SHGBEE3 Conference aims to provide a platform for harnessing the synergy of sustainable agricultural intensification practices and biodiversity for food and nutrition security and improving livelihoods of households and communities, and resilient ecosystems.

Specifically, it aims to:

Share research initiatives, experiences, and best practices related to school, home, and community gardening and its contributions to biodiversity enhancement and enterprise development in the Southeast Asian region and beyond.

Showcase technologies in the agricultural technology parks (ATPs) and biodiversity conservation areas in Cambodia for the adoption of stakeholders and participants.

Mainstream agriculture and biodiversity concepts in the agriculture and education sectors.

Develop a framework for mapping collaborations on similar initiatives from other countries and regions.

Expected Outputs

Conference proceedings

Publication of selected presentations to SEARCA’s Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD)

Framework for mapping collaborations on school- and community-based food and nutrition

Intended Participants

The conference aims to bring together a diverse group of professionals, including researchers, educators, farmers, experts, and stakeholders to disseminate the research findings and case studies, showcase innovative technologies, discuss sustainable practices, address challenges, and facilitate networking opportunities for professionals from various fields interested in enhancing agricultural approaches to sustainability.

Venue

Conference venue to be finalized.

Submission of Abstracts and Registration

  • Conference Themes

    The Conference will focus on the following thematic areas:

    1. Sustainable agricultural intensification practices – Sustainable Intensification (SI) is a concept focused on improving the efficient use of agricultural resources to produce more food on the same amount of land while reducing negative environmental or social impacts.
      • Conservation agriculture
      • Regenerative agriculture
      • Organic agriculture (e.g., biopesticides, natural fertilizers, etc.)
      • Soil management and fertility
      • Circular agriculture
      • Bio-intensive gardening techniques
      • Sustainable intensification practices
      • Diversified and integrated farming systems (e.g., integration of livestock and aquaculture in crop systems)
      • Water and nutrient management
      • Integrated pest management (e.g., biological control agents, natural enemies)
      • Climate resilience and adaptation (e.g., climate-smart agriculture techniques)
    2. Biodiversity enhancement – These are agricultural practices that may result in habitat restoration, creation, and expansion for both plants and animals or aim to bring ecosystems back to their natural state.
      • Promotion of local and/or Indigenous fruits and vegetables
      • Measures of species richness and floral/faunal diversity
      • Crop museum and seed banking
      • Nature or natural farming
      • Permaculture
      • Ridge-to-reef initiatives
    3. Promotion of food and nutrition security in schools and communities – These are school- and community-based food and nutrition programs implemented locally to support the health and well-being of school children and their families.
      • Agriculture and nutrition education in schools
      • School gardens
      • School-based feeding program
      • Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
      • Deworming and Immunization
      • Food and nutrition security
      • Supplementary feeding programs in communities
      • Nutrition-sensitive agriculture
    4. Agripreneurship and social enterprise – These are notable practices aimed to improve the people’s quality of life, economic well-being, and the environment.
      • Resources use efficiency
      • Strategies for income generation
      • Small-scale enterprise and product development
      • Value addition/processing of agricultural products
      • Innovative and multi-purpose crop production systems (e.g., hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical gardening, container/pocket gardening, etc.)
      • Community livelihood
      • Youth engagement in agri-enterprises
  • Abstract Format

    • Abstracts must be submitted in English
    • Use Times New Roman, font size 12, single spaced
    • It should contain the proposed title of the presentation
    • The conference thematic area it belongs to
    • The complete names of authors and their affiliations
    • Full name of participating author/presenter
    • Contact details of submitting author/presenter (mobile number and email address)
    • Abstract (maximum of 250 words)
    • Keywords (up to six keywords)
    • Abstracts should be uploaded in PDF, DOC, or DOCX formats
  • Registration and Abstract Submission

    • The deadline for abstract submission is 30 August 2024. Register and submit your abstracts via Google Form.
    • Accepted submissions will be communicated through the e-mail address submitted by 7 October 2024.
    • For citizens of Southeast Asian countries whose abstracts have been accepted, you may apply for the SEARCA Travel Grants Program (STGP). All applications must be submitted online through the SEARCA Grants Information System. Applications submitted via email or hard copies sent directly to the Center will not be processed. Applicants should complete the system's online submission form and upload all required documents for their application to proceed. All communications related to your application will be done through the system. If a problem is encountered during online application or in the use of the system, please contact SEARCA through email ().
    • The deadline for application for the STGP is 14 October 2024, and results will be announced on 28 October 2024.
  • Registration Fee Structure

    • Payment channels and forms will be communicated soon.
    • The registration fee's structure is below. The conference will only cover snacks and lunch. Airfare, airport transfer to hotel, accommodation, and other meals will be shouldered by the participants.
    Participant Institution Country/Region Conference Only Conference and Mobile Workshop
    Cambodia USD 70 USD 120
    Non-Cambodia USD 150 USD 250
    (including ticket to Angkor Wat: USD 37)

Program

Day 1: 19 November 2024
Details Venue
Mobile Workshop Selected Agricultural Technology Parks (ATPs) and Mini-ATPs Farm tour
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Locations are yet to be finalized
Day 2: 20 November 2024
Details Venue
Opening Program of CE-SAIN – SEARCA Joint International Conference 2024 (SAIN4 and SHGBEE3)
Plenary Session Siem Reap, Cambodia
Final venue to be announced soon
Parallel Sessions 1 and 2 on selected conference themes
Poster Presentations
Day 3: 21 November 2024
Details Venue
Day 2 of the CE-SAIN – SEARCA Joint International Conference 2024 (SAIN4 and SHGBEE3)
Plenary Session Siem Reap, Cambodia
Parallel Sessions 3 and 4 on selected conference themes
Poster Presentations
Closing Ceremonies
Day 4: 22 November 2024
Details Venue
Mobile Workshop Angkor Wat Biodiversity Conservation Area

Important Dates

30 August 2024

Registration and Deadline of Abstract Submission

25 September 2024

Deadline for the review of Abstracts

30 September 2024

Deliberation for the acceptance of papers for poster and oral presentations

7 October 2024

Sending out of notice of acceptance for poster and oral presentations

14 October 2024

Deadline for application for the SEARCA Travel Grants Program (STGP)

28 October 2024

Sending out of notice of acceptance for the STGP applicants

30 October 2024

Deadline for submission of presentations