Bulletin

Issue: October 2004

News

Mildura campus hosts global agroecology conference

The latest developments in agroecology – and how they can be used to improve productivity and sustainability of agriculture – were examined at an international conference on La Trobe University’s Mildura campus in September.

The conference featured 27 speakers from the USA, New Zealand, France, Italy and Australia. Scientists and producers exchanged ideas on optimal use and enhancement of water and soil nutrients, integrated pest management, ecological engineering, ecosystem services, social ecology, Australian native products and organic farming from both biological and economic perspectives.

With Australia facing major challenges as a food producer for an expanding world population, conference convenor, Dr Aldo Poiani, said agroecologists were developing new approaches to productivity. Environmentally and economically sustainable, these approaches could help Australian farmers meet these challenges.

The conference was part of the Barkindji Biosphere initiative, a partnership between UNESCO, La Trobe University, Trust for Nature, Australian Inland Botanic Gardens and the Mildura community.

Contact: Dr Poiani, Email: a.poiani@latrobe.edu.au

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