February 9, 2021
The Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab Held its Virtual Annual Meeting with Partners and Collaborators from Around the World
The Feed the Future Lab on Collaborative Research for Sustainable Intensification (SIIL) at Kansas State University held its 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting, January 26-28. There were more than 170 participants in attendance including research partners and funding recipients of the SIIL, along with local leadership and participants. These included individuals from numerous countries across the globe.
Over the three days, each project and consortium had a highlight promotional video and a presentation of their research on sustainable agriculture innovations followed by a question and answer session. This provided time for engagement and cross-functional collaboration between the multiple projects and consortiums.
The President of Kansas State University, Richard B. Myers, spoke for the official opening on the first day of the meeting. He expressed gratitude to all the individuals connected to the SIIL for their commitment to making positive impacts on the environment.
“Do not underestimate the impact you are having on our world,” Myers said, directed toward those who are involved with the SIIL who are researching and implementing sustainable intensification practices.
Also present at the meeting were members of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the SIIL External Advisory Board (EAB). The EAB commented on the work the SIIL is achieving and proposed questions about ways each project and consortium can enhance the work they are already doing pertaining to sustainable intensification.
Charles Taber, Provost and Executive Vice President of Kansas State University, spoke about the importance of the global work the SIIL executes.
“This was such a pleasure to join in for the SIIL Annual Meeting,” Taber said. “I am so proud of our work in the SIIL and our other Innovation Labs.”
Comments from USAID partners included appreciating the immensity of the SIIL portfolio, the positive engagement through the meeting and the dedicated work to find innovative ways to combat global food and nutritional security.
“For the past five years, the SIIL delivered important and meaningful impacts that advanced the goals and land-grant mission of Kansas State University,” said Ernie Minton, Dean, College of Agriculture and Director, K-State Research and Extension.
Vara Prasad, University Distinguished Professor and Director of the SIIL, highlighted the positive impacts of the SIIL in each of its focus countries.
“We have the ability to identify problems, solutions and options through research and translate those into appropriate innovations for smallholder farmers.” Prasad said. “The SIIL has formed networks and established relationships with host -country organizations around the world to scale up innovations to have maximum positive impact.”
This was the first year the SIIL held its annual meeting virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
All presentation and highlight videos from each project and consortium can be found on the SIIL YouTube channel which can be accessed here.