Joint Pan-African Grain Legume and World Cowpea Conference

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Feed-the-Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Grain Legumes (Legume Innovation Lab), in collaboration with major international agricultural research organizations and development partners and sponsors, will be hosting the Joint Pan-African Grain Legume and World Cowpea Conference on 28 February to 4 March 2016 at the AVANI Victoria Falls Resort  in Livingstone, Zambia. The theme of the conference is Sustainable Grain Legume Systems for Food, Income, and Nutritional Security in a Rapidly Changing Climate.

The conference is offering a limited number of participation grants for students and young scientists - with applications for this scheduled to close shortly. Registration for the conference is ongoing, with early-bird registration scheduled to close on 31st December 2015 and regular registration to close on 31st January 2015.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has declared this Joint World Cowpea and Pan-African Grain Legume Research Conference one of the 10 international signature events of the  International Year of Pulses (IYP) to be observed in 2016; and the IYP signature event for Africa.

Multi-sector representatives from around the globe engaged in various research  aspects of the cowpea and grain legume value chains – ranging from scientists and researchers to farmers, academics, students, and business people – are expected to participate in this joint conference; drawing attention to the importance of pulses/grain legumes in improved nutrition and food security, sustainability of cropping systems, and enhanced livelihoods on the African continent, all within the context of climate change.

Summary of Important dates & information

• Conference Dates: 28th February to 4th March 2016
• Conference Venue: AVANI Victoria Falls Resort, Livingstone, Zambia (more information here)
• Early-bird Registration Deadline: 31 December 2015
• Registration Closes: 31 January 2016
• Deadline for submission of abstracts: Extended from 1st to 10th December 2015, click here for details.

 More information is available on the conference website.