The 2023 International Symposium on Tropical Fruits (ISTF 2023) was held on 21-23 November 2023 in Jianguo Hotel, Guangzhou, China, and the Institute of Fruit Tree Research (IFTR) of the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GDAAS), China, and co-organized by CABI Southeast Asia and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), together with GreenAgre-Guangzhou Ruifeng Biotechnology Co Ltd, Guangdong Agricultural Technology Promotion Center, Guangdong Fruit Association, and the Guangdong Institute of Modern Agricultural Equipment.
With the theme “Smart Technologies and Innovations for A Responsible and Sustainable Tropical Fruit Industry”, ISTF2023 aimed to generate interest in the adoption of smart farming technologies to boost and sustain tropical fruits production, market, and trade. The symposium assembled stakeholders to share the latest scientific research, private sector technology developments and best practices on to incorporate smart farming in tropical fruit production.
The birth of smart farming technologies signals the advent of a new era for agriculture and has led to the transformation of agri-food systems. Smart farming incorporates components such as IoT (Internet of Things) devices, Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, autonomous robots and drones, all of which can lead to better utilization and management of natural resources, inputs, land, and resources such as labour. There is a need for the tropical fruit industry to move away from status quo and adapt.
ISTF 2023 had 121 participants from 10 countries: China, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, Fiji, and Italy. The participants represented various sectors such as research institutes, the academe, international organizations, special interest groups, and the private sector.
Welcome addresses were given by Dr. Lin Lv, Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou; Dr. Gong Jianwen, Vice Director, Planting Industry Management, Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China,; and Dr. Liu Minyan, Director, Department of Science and Technology, and Dr. Yi Ganjun, Vice President of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
The Symposium was officially opened by H.E. Lokman Hakim Ali, Secretary General, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Malaysia and Chairperson of TFNet Board of Trustees. “In this era of transformative technologies, smart innovations play a pivotal role,” according to H.E. Lokman. He adds, “the integration of smart technologies and digital farming practices in the tropical fruit industry… are vital for ensuring food security and fostering sustainable agriculture.
A total of 28 presentations were delivered, including 3 keynotes by Dr. Kerry Walsh from Central Queensland University, Australia, Maria Hernandez Lagana from FAO, and Dr. Yi Ganjun from GDAAS.
On the last day, a panel discussion was moderated by TFNet Advisor Yacob Ahmad with the following panelists: Dr. Chunyu Li, IFTR, GDAAS, Mr. Christopher Biai, Department of Agriculture, Malaysia, Mr. Sirichai Sathuwijarn, Department of Agriculture, Thailand, Mr. Shalendra Prasad, Ministry of Agriculture, Fiji, and Ms. Maria Hernandez Lagana, FAO. The panel discussion focused on ‘Making Smart Farming Accessible in Tropical Fruit Development’.
As a conclusion to the symposium, participants visited the Litchi Culture Exposition Park, and a packaging and processing facility for the export of selected fruits.
