The 1st Asia-Pacific Congress on Alternate Crops, themed “Alternate Crops for Health and Nutritional Security,” will be held from September 9-12, 2024, at the Assam Royal Global University in Guwahati, Assam. This event aims to bring together researchers, medical practitioners, industry experts, and policymakers to explore the potential of alternate crops as a solution to health and nutritional challenges.
On September 9-12, 2024 at The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam
Organized by The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati In Collaboration With Meghalaya Farmers Empowerment Commission (MFEC), Meghalaya NECTAR, Government of India, Shillong
The congress seeks to foster international collaborations and create a roadmap for the domestication and promotion of “smart foods” that contribute to both nutritional security and climate resilience. Discussions will include the formation of the Asia-Pacific Society for Alternate Crops, enabling deeper interaction among
stakeholders to promote sustainable agriculture.
Congress Theme: Addressing the Narrowing Agricultural Biodiversity The congress addresses the global shift towards monoculture cropping systems, which have limited our diets to
a few resource-intensive crops. The focus will be on alternative crops such as millet, buckwheat, and quinoa, which offer better nutritional profiles, climate resilience, and economic potential for farmers. These crops, once considered niche or neglected, are now recognized for their role in sustainable agriculture and health promotion.
Alternate crops can play a crucial role in mitigating climate challenges while providing phytonutrients and enhanced farm incomes. They offer significant potential for innovation and diversification, aligning with the FAO’s International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS) in bridging food-nutrient gaps across societies.
Congress Objectives:
• Unite experts to discuss the benefits of alternate crops.
• Encourage international collaborations for domestication of smart foods.
• Explore academic and policy initiatives for alternate crops.
• Discuss forming the Asia-Pacific Society for Alternate Crops to boost stakeholder collaboration.
MFEC Technical Presentations:
The Meghalaya Farmers (Empowerment) Commission (MFEC) will be showcasing its interventions and collaborations through the following presentations and paper submissions:
• Buckwheat Cultivation in Meghalaya: Opportunities, challenges, and pathways for farmers – MFEC
• Aromatic Agrotechnology: Transforming wastelands for rural livelihood under the Megh Aroma
Mission – Institute of Natural Resources Meghalaya
• Jackfruit Processing for Nutrition Security and Livelihood Promotion – College of Community Sciences, CAU, Tura
• Piper peepuloides: A medicinal crop with significant potential in Meghalaya – ICAR- Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode
• Value Addition of Alternative Crops: Insights into metabolic profiling for regional honeys using NMR testing – CSIR – National Chemical Laboratory, Pune
• Fruit Wines of Meghalaya: A livelihood, enterprise, and nutritional perspective – MFEC
This event will serve as a critical platform for exchanging ideas and fostering innovations in the domain of alternate crops, with a special focus on the unique agro-climatic conditions of the Asia-Pacific region.
