Production and Carbon Dynamics in Sustainable Agriculture and Forest Systems in Africa

The theme of this seminar captures two pertinent questions in African agriculture and forestry:

Sustainable production: how can enough food and forest products be produced in environmentally, ecologically, socially and economically acceptable ways?

Carbon dynamics: what is the potential for agriculture and forests systems to sequester carbon, and how do carbon dynamics influence sustainability and production capacity?

These issues are complex and interdependent. Inputs from biophysical sciences range from narrow disciplinary technologies to integrative science approaches, like Integrated Natural Resource Management, Integrated Pest Management, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Conservation Agriculture, Organic Farming, Sustainable Forest Management, and Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). Each approach has to be adapted to a socio-economic context, though the constraints and ways forward differ.

Social sciences are essential for understanding householdslivelihood strategies. Improved market performance and incentives, trade, institutions, financial services, agricultural research, advisory and learning services, policies and governance are often prerequisites for improved natural resource management.

Format

During the 2-day seminar these questions and issues will be addressed in four ways (all will draw on both biophysical and socio-economic research and experience):

• Keynote presentations by experienced international scientists and practitioners
• Research presentations in parallel sessions
• Poster presentations
• Panel discussions where key note speakers and other insightful persons discuss with each other and the audience

Abstracts for posters and oral presentations should be submitted to Gert.Nyberg@sek.slu.se before June 30th