The 2nd Regional Conference on Agrobiodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use (RAC2) 2024 convened in Kuching, Sarawak, from 11 to 13 June, drawing attention to global issues surrounding agrobiodiversity. Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg of Sarawak inaugurated the event alongside Dr. Azman Ismail, Chairman of MARDI, and Dr. Asfaliza Ramli, Deputy Director General (Research) of MARDI. A significant highlight was the launch of "Underutilized Fruits of Malaysia" Volume 1, marking decades of research on rare fruits at MARDI.
Hosted by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Sarawak State Government, the conference also benefited from partnership with the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, represented by Dr. Jai Rana, Country Representative for India and Sonal Dsouza, Partnerships Officer for South Asia. Held at Hotel Imperial Kuching, the event brought together 185 participants from diverse backgrounds including government agencies, policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, academics, students, farm managers, and private sector representatives.
Themes explored during RAC2 encompassed the management of agrobiodiversity in the context of climate change, biological control, ecological engineering, utilization of agrobiodiversity, and potential crops for ensuring food security. Attendees shared success stories and innovative strategies across various sectors, building upon the momentum of the inaugural RAC in 2012 to foster collaborative solutions and advancements. The conference also featured Dr. Jai Rana as one of the invited speakers, where he presented on 'Mainstreaming Agrobiodiversity for Enhancing Climate Resilience, Nutrition, and Livelihoods', highlighting innovative approaches in integrating agrobiodiversity into agricultural practices to bolster climate resilience, improve nutritional outcomes, and enhance livelihoods.
RAC2 underscored the critical role of agrobiodiversity in addressing contemporary challenges posed by the digital age, climate resilience, and poverty alleviation on local, regional, and global scales. The conference provided a vital platform for experts to evaluate sustainable approaches for leveraging the rich agrobiodiversity of the region to its maximum potential, aiming to elevate awareness and advocacy for the conservation and sustainable utilization of agrobiodiversity.
