Experts focus on climate adaptation at the International Wheat Congress 2024

Experts focus on climate change at the International Wheat Congress

Perth, Australia: The 3rd International Wheat Congress 2024 (IWC 2024) united over 950 delegates from 52 countries, fostering the exchange of research insights and strategies to tackle global wheat production’s most urgent challenges.

Murdoch University hosted the five-day event, featuring 58 speakers, 35 panellists, 134 workshop presenters, and over 380 poster presentations from experts in the global wheat community. The Congress covered the entire wheat value chain, offering insights into various aspects.

Delegates explored research topics spanning genomics, pre-breeding, end-use quality, and trade. They discussed how these innovations could boost climate adaptation, strengthen resilience against diseases and pests, enhance global food security, promote sustainability in agriculture, and ultimately increase farmer profitability.

Opening Insights

In the Inaugural Session, Congress Chair and Director of Murdoch University’s Centre for Crop and Food Innovation, Prof. Rajeev Varshney urged delegates to look beyond research and focus on achieving real-world outcomes. He emphasised, “This congress is not just a meeting of minds; it’s a catalyst for action.”

Murdoch University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andrew Deeks, welcomed delegates to the Congress and Western Australia. He highlighted the University’s 50-year legacy in agricultural science and its ongoing commitment to advancing wheat research.

Heather Brayford, Director General of the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development, then offered insights specific to Western Australia. She highlighted challenges local farmers face, such as producing “more grain with less rain.”

Nigel Hart, Managing Director of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, presented Australia’s position in the global wheat market. He noted the strengths of Australian grain growers in productivity while addressing challenges like rising costs and market access.

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Adding to this, Prof. Wendy Umberger, CEO of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, discussed Australia’s role in boosting agricultural productivity in the region. She explained how improving productivity helps reduce poverty and enhances global food security.

Dr. Bram Govaerts, Director General of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), offered international perspectives. He emphasised the importance of open borders for scientific collaboration, stating, “In the last decade, collaborative efforts in wheat breeding have led to the release of over 300 wheat varieties in more than 27 countries.”

Prof. Peter Langridge, Chair of the Scientific Board of the Wheat Initiative in Germany, concluded the session. He provided an overview of the Wheat Initiative’s key programmes and stressed the importance of equitable access to new research approaches, particularly for researchers in the Global South.

Key Focus Areas

Over the next four days, the Congress held 10 plenary sessions on various topics. These included climate-smart wheat research, advancements in wheat quality, end-use processing, and value addition. Delegates gained exposure to groundbreaking research approaches crucial for addressing climate change, increasing wheat yield, and promoting sustainable production.

Delegates also heard perspectives from international breeding and trade organisations on the global wheat market. Discussions covered reducing regulatory barriers, shifting consumer preferences, and new market opportunities, providing a comprehensive view of the global wheat landscape.

The Congress highlighted the international wheat community’s eagerness for collaboration. From multinational research initiatives to grassroots farmer-scientist partnerships, delegates saw numerous examples of how collective efforts amplify the impact of research.

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“We heard about research that can address world hunger, adapt to a changing climate, and build a path towards a better, more sustainable future,” Prof. Varshney noted. He also mentioned efforts to improve nutrition, reduce regulatory obstacles, decrease pesticide use, and promote fair global trade.

“The most important takeaway is that the challenges in global production are too vast for any single entity to solve alone. But through collective efforts, knowledge sharing, and resource pooling, we can drive innovation and progress in the wheat industry,” he emphasised.

Prof. Peter Davies, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of the Food Futures Institute, thanked delegates for their contributions to IWC’s success. He said, “It was an immense privilege to host an event of this scale and showcase Murdoch University’s leadership in advancing wheat research and production.”

In the closing session, Professor Varshney was elected Chair of the International Organising Committee for the 4th International Wheat Congress, set to take place in Bologna, Italy, in 2026.

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