Faculty members from Mindanao State University at Naawan showcased their research at the CE-SAIN SEARCA Joint International Conference 2024, held from November 19 to 22, 2024. The event, jointly organized by 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), brought together global experts in sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and biodiversity.
The conference, which combined the Fourth International Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (SAIN4) and the Third School-Plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise (SHGBEE3), aimed to foster collaboration and innovation in addressing the challenges of sustainability in agriculture. Participants engaged in keynote speeches, plenary and parallel sessions, poster and oral presentations, and mobile workshops at agricultural technology parks, farms, and conservation areas in Angkor Wat.
Among the esteemed presenters were MSU at Naawan’s Ms. Jolibe B. Llido, an Instructor, and Associate Prof. Mechie Ann S. Clar-Florida, a faculty member and Project Leader of the Mytella project under DOST PCAARRD. Ms. Llido presented her research titled “Nitrogen Nutrition Changes Rhizosphere pH and Affects Above and Belowground Attributes of Rice Genotypes.” Her study highlighted how nitrogen dynamics in the rhizosphere influence crop performance, providing insights into optimizing rice production sustainably. While Associate Prof. Clar-Florida presented a study on “Production Performance and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Broiler Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) Fed with Different Levels of Mussel (Mytella strigata Hanley) Meal as Replacement to Fishmeal.” Her findings offered a sustainable alternative to traditional fishmeal in poultry production, aligning with the conference’s focus on sustainable practices and resource efficiency.
The conference attracted participants from countries including the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, China, Thailand, and the United States. Attendees included researchers, educators, farmers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, who shared research findings, explored innovative technologies, and discussed sustainable agricultural practices.
Our faculty’s active involvement reflects their commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and contributing to global discussions on food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Both presentations highlight the university’s leadership in conducting research that addresses the complexities of sustainability in agriculture and aquaculture.
The CE-SAIN SEARCA Joint International Conference 2024 served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative opportunities, empowering professionals to tackle pressing issues in agriculture and biodiversity while inspiring innovative solutions for sustainable development.
