Deadline: 20 November 2024

Strategies for a Resilient Global Food System: Navigating the Intersection of Food Security and Global Shocks

Conference Dates: March 10th - 13th 2025

Venue: Naivasha Country Hotel Ltd T/A Sawela Lodges, Kenya

 

The IBMA 2025 organizers are pleased to call for abstracts for all conference tracks from any and all interested parties.

I. Thematic Areas

• Theme 1: Managing Food Systems Initiatives for Safe, Nutritious and Affordable Diets amidst Geopolitical Tensions, Pests and Disesase Outbreaks
• Theme 2: Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Production and its Mitigation Strategies
• Theme 3: Unlocking the Potential of Agricultural Innovation in the Exports of High Value Agricultural Produce
• Theme 4: Transforming Africa’s Agriculture Sector through Innovations in the Livestock, Crops (e.g. Horticulture), Agroforestry and Fisheries sub-Sectors
• Theme 5: Harnessing ICT in Transforming Food Systems among Youth and Women in Developing Countries
• Theme 6: Evaluation of the Implementation and Relevance of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services in Africa
• Theme 7: Building Food Systems Resilience for Value-Chain Transformation to enhance public and private sector partnership through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

II. Break-Down

Theme 1: Managing Food Systems Initiatives for Safe, Nutritious and Affordable Diets amidst Geopolitical Tensions, Pests and Disease Outbreaks

In this theme, we expect professionals and researchers with interest in:

• Alternative Proteins
• Food Safety
• Traditional Foods
• Handling/Recycling food grade wastes for sustainable food systems
• Rethinking global architecture of global food system
• Measuring transformation in global food systems through participation in agricultural value chains
• Revisiting governance and policies in global food systems
• Advancing urban and peri-urban agriculture or resilient, sustainable and inclusive food systems
• Local-based strategies to sustain food systems targeting household food and nutritional security in Africa
• Advancing benefits of urban and peri-urban agriculture for the transformation of urban food systems
• How the food system is affected by the ongoing geopolitical tensions. E.g. Russia-Ukraine war, China -US trade war
• How internal riots, uprisings/conflict affect the food system. E.g. the July riots in South Africa, the recent strikes in Kenya, the case in Sudan & Ethiopia
• How countries responded and coped with the covid-19 outbreak to sustain food supplies
• Understanding the impact of animal and disease outbreaks on the food systems. e.g. army fall worm in Southern Africa, locust in East Africa, the recurrent outbreak of Foot & mouth disease & Avian flu in South Africa

Theme 2: Impact of Climate Change on Food Production and its Mitigation Strategies

In this theme, we expect professionals and researchers with interest in:

• Climate Change, Extreme Weather Conditions and Agriculture
• Hydro-Meteorological Hazards (flood, drought, and landslides) and Mitigation
• Climate Change and its Impact on livestock
• Climate resilient and Smart agriculture
• Agriculture and Climate Adaptation strategies
• Water harvesting and storage technologies for smallholder farmers

Theme 3: Unlocking the Potential of Agricultural Innovation in the Exports of High Value Agricultural Produce

In this theme, we expect professionals and researchers with interest in:

• High value crops such as sugar cane, maize, wheat, millet, cassava, rice, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantains, amongst others
• Innovative technologies for agriculture production (water and irrigation technologies, conservation agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, and aquaculture)
• Post harvesting technologies, processing and food technologies
• Innovative technologies in animal production and by-products
•  Organic farming and bio-products
• Cash crops and pre-exports technologies
• Standardization issues
• Food laws and legislation across nations and continents

Theme 4: Transforming Africa’s Agriculture Sector through Innovations in the Livestock, Crops (e.g. Horticulture), Agroforestry and Fisheries sub-Sectors

 In this theme, we expect professionals and researchers with interest in:

• Measuring transformation in livestock, horticulture, crops, agroforestry and fisheries sub-sectors
• Harnessing the potential of livestock horticulture, crops, agroforestry and fisheries sub-sectors in Africa to become sustainable

Theme 5: Harnessing ICT in Transforming Food Systems among Youth and Women in Developing Countries

In this theme, we expect professionals and researchers with interest in:

• Women and youth engagement in SMART Agri-through the use of AI, precision farming, IOT,
• Collective actions in transforming agriculture value chain among smallholder farmers
• Nutrition transition in Africa and the psychology of food choices among the youth in an ever-growing youthful population

Theme 6: Evaluation of the Implementation and Relevance of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services in Africa

In this theme, we expect professionals and researchers with interest in:

• Indigenous Farming Systems that align with Food Security
• Developing Smart Villages for Food Systems Transformation
• Sustainable Seed Systems Development, and Seed Quality in Food Systems Transformation

Theme 7: Building Food Systems Resilience for Value-Chain Transformation to enhance public and private sector partnership through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

In this theme, we expect professionals and researchers with interest in:

• Sustainability and distribution of food throughout Africa
• Ability of countries in Africa to trade free though enabling policies
• Food Value-chain transformation
• Biotechnological transformation of GM crops/foods/organisms
• Indigenous Knowledge on Traditional Delicacies for Food Systems Enhancement
• Providing standards and compliance training and consulting services
•  Institutions that play active role in inspecting, monitoring and or evaluating compliance to requirements
• Individuals and or institutions that are certified to provide either certification or accreditation services

III. Abstract Structure

• Platform: Authors should upload their abstracts via the online submission platform here.

• Word count: The abstract should not exceed 300 words (Not including the title, key words, list of authors and their addresses).
• Provide the organisational affiliations of the first author and all co-authors
• Indicate the corresponding author with an Asterix* and provide their email address and telephone number plus their alternate contacts
• Key words: include 4 – 6 key words
• Title: The title should be informative and concise
• Introduction/Background: Address the scientific background, rationale for the study, as well as the significance to the theme Explain why your study is important and state the research question (s) addressed. A clearly stated background sets the stage and should include: A brief description of the topic and its significance, Study objectives, Research questions or study hypothesis if applicable
• Methods: Summarise the methods used for the study. Essential points to be included are: Study design, Study population, Sample size and sampling methods, Data management and analysis
• Results: Present the significant findings directly related to the study objectives. This section should not include discussion of the results only major descriptive and statistical results. We stress that this section should not include such statements as “Data will be discussed”. If considerable work is still pending before the conference submission, please indicate that the results are preliminary.
• Conclusion/policy implications: Be as concise as possible. Do not re-state data included in the results. This section may include: An interpretation of key findings and their implications for the theme, Actions that are recommended and/or have been implemented as a consequence of the study

IV. Evaluation Criteria

Each abstract will be evaluated by two independent reviewers using the following criteria:

• Rationale of the study
• Appropriateness of methods
• Interpretation of results and policy implications
• Relevance to conference theme

V. IMPORTANT DATES

• Opening of call: Abstract submissions will open on 09 August 2024
• 20 November 2024 Deadline for abstract submissions
• 15 December 2024 Notification of acceptances
• 30 January 2024 Deadline for participants registration
• 10 to 13 March 2025 Conference days
• Electronic Version of all accepted abstracts will be published not later than 30th April 2025 on IBMA website: https://www.ibmaconference.org/

VI. Abstract Submission

• Authors should upload their abstracts via the online submission platform HERE.
• No emailed abstracts will be accepted.
• If you have difficulty, mail to the administrator on [email protected]

VII. About IBMA 2025

Theme: Unlocking Food and Nutrition Security through Value Addition and ICT Transformation in Agribusiness​

In collaboration with the Kenyan government, the Africa Organization of Technology in Agriculture (AOTA), the University of Rwanda, and the University of Nairobi are the driving forces behind the upcoming 3rd International Conference on Business Models in Agriculture (IBMA) 2025.

IBMA is anticipated to convene over 4,000 delegates and feature around 300 exhibitors. Participants will span across various sectors including government officials, research institutions, businesses, financial organizations, NGOs, farmers, innovators, and startups, creating a dynamic platform to showcase business-focused models and technologies with the potential to uplift farmers from poverty to prosperity. 

The 3rd edition of the IBMA conference aims to be a catalyst for driving innovative agribusiness models, investments, and advancing food security throughout Africa. Aligned with Kenya’s vision to boost agricultural productivity for food security, the conference seeks to facilitate cross-continental knowledge exchange and provide a forum for policymakers, industry experts, researchers, and stakeholders to collaborate on reshaping agribusiness models for sustainable growth.

 

More information about this event can be found at the event website.