A Synthesis Of The 2Nd, 3Rd, 4Th And 5Th Isofar Scientific Conferences: Pointers To Future Frontiers Of Knowledge

Summary

Globally, basic and applied organic agriculture research projects are not adequately funded thereby hindering the development of innovations that can properly tackle multifarious challenges in the food and agriculture sector. A review of 1,118 scientific papers presented at the last four editions (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th) of ISOFAR Scientific Conferences held in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2017, respectively revealed that 45.8 – 66.6% of papers presented were on agronomy (crop and soil) followed by socio-economics. Very few scientific papers (0.0-4.0%) were based on organic aquaculture, policy issues, health and safety of organic products, and standards and certification. It is recommended that in the nearest future, inter- and transdisciplinary research projects be commissioned to explore the potential of these identified neglected research areas in solving global challenges in the food and agriculture sector.