Global perspectives and local insights into crop protection challenges, and the solutions on the horizon are the focus of this year’s New Zealand Plant Protection Society (NZPPS) symposium Growing a Greener Future – Crop Protection for Aotearoa 2050.
Co-hosted by AgResearch’s Agrichem-Light Solutions programme, the A Lighter Touch programme and Plant and Food Research, the upcoming symposium aims to connect and share new research and emerging science and technologies in crop protection. Being held on August 12 in Auckland, it immediately precedes the full NZPPS annual conference.
International speakers include plant pathologist Dr Aoife O’Driscoll, of the UK’s National Institute of Agricultural Botany. Given decades of reliance on agrichemicals to control pests and diseases in crops, Aoife asks the question, how do we change thinking from ’what can we kill?’ to ‘what can we introduce?’
Also presenting is Dr Louise Thatcher, principal research scientist at Australia’s science research agency CSIRO. Based in Canberra, Louise leads the Microbial Technologies team focused on both applied research to deliver industry specific outcomes.
Horticulture New Zealand chair Barry O’Neil will give an industry perspective, drilling into specific issues for local sectors, while independent analyst Julia Jones’ discussion includes the rising impact of protectionism, the importance of climate adaptation strategies, and the role of technology in transforming agriculture.
A wide range of researchers and industry experts will speak across four sessions and two panel discussions, focusing on:
- trends in crop protection – global to local,
- emerging science and future tools,
- commercial realities and opportunities,
- creating momentum, including a showcase of new technologies being used in crop protection, such as robotics and drones.
The full programme is available here on the NZPPS website, and registrations are now open. Be part of this important conversation around the solutions and action required to move New Zealand towards a shared agrichemical light future.
Source: New Zealand Plant Protection Society
