LILONGWE, Malawi: The Africa Potato Association (APA) will hold its 12th Triennial Conference from 27 June to 1 July 2022 in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The conference will be held under the theme of “Harnessing potato and sweetpotato innovations for resilient and healthier agri-food systems.”
APA is a non-profit organization that was launched in September 1985 with the following objectives:
- To promote the interests of potato and sweetpotato workers in
- To act as a central source of information and resource exchange.
- To facilitate greater inter-country collaboration and horizontal exchange of information by scientists.
- To stimulate the development of potato and sweetpotato research, production, and utilization in
- To popularize potato and sweetpotato as important food items in
- To act as a link between the International Potato Center (CIP) and other relevant associations in the world and members/member
- To monitor training opportunities to its members
Dr Wilkson I.H. Makumba, who is President of the African Potato Association 2020-2022, said:
“The conference will provide an opportunity for scientists and other stakeholders throughout Africa and around the world to come together for networking, exchange information and ideas, and to initiate new collaborative studies on sweet potato and potato.”
Renowned scientists, up-and-coming researchers and other stakeholders are expected to attend this important meeting either virtually or in person.
The conference is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security, the International Potato Center and other partners.
The proposed conference sub-themes are:
- Breeding and genetic innovations for increased resilience, production, and nutrition
- Innovative approaches for building sustainable seed systems
- Crop intensification and diversification in the context of resilient agri-food systems
- Robust pest and disease management under a changing climate
- Reduction of crop losses and increased profitability through improved management, value-addition, and marketing opportunities
- Building healthier, sustainable diets and influencing consumer behavior
- Policies and approaches for achieving impact at scale
The sweeping entrance to the Umodzi Park precinct with over 2500 secure parking bays, leads through the double volume and twin buildings which, together, comprise the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Centre (the BICC). The facilities include Lilongwe Auditorium, which seats 1,800 delegates and is accessed by a large volume foyer, which can accommodate the same number of guests. Heron, Ibis, Pelican, Sparrowhawk and Sandpiper are the names given to the conference rooms, which can be combined or used individually to cater for up to 70 delegates and are perfect for company meetings or plenary sessions.