September 27, 2022
K-State Partnered in the First Student-Led "Youth Engagement in Sustainable Agriculture" Symposium in Cambodia
On June 25, 2022, a few masters and PhD students from the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and the National University of Battambang, Cambodia organized the first symposium entitled, “Youth Engagement in Sustainable Agriculture.” The main goal of this symposium was to bring together high school students, undergraduate students, and researchers to explore conservation agriculture and sustainable intensification practices.
The symposium took place at RUA in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with participation of many international and national speakers from Iowa State University, the S-3 Cambodia Project from the Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab (SIIL), Corteva Agriscience, and the Cooperation Office. The symposium was sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, the Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN), SIIL, and the Digital Tools, Geospatial and Farming Systems Consortium (DGFSC) of the SIIL.
Dr. Ciampitti, director and lead principal investigator for the DGFSC, traveled to Cambodia, attended, and presented the closing remarks for the symposium.
“This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to make a real-world impact on our young generations and to foster the importance of agriculture in our society,” Ciampitti stated.
Additionally, this symposium serves as a platform for creating a teamwork environment and capacity development for the graduate students.
“As a graduate student, I never imagined that I could have a chance to learn from the mentors, interact with international and national speakers, and work together with other graduate students to organize this symposium,” said Sreypich Chhun, a graduate student.
Dr. Leangsrun Chea, a mentor of this symposium, also emphasized, “This symposium had high impacts on both organizers and participants including high school students to recognize the sciences of agriculture.” “There should be other symposia that engage more students because youth farmers are the future of farming.”
A total of 130 students attended the symposium, with several high schools presenting topics of agriculture conservation such as the importance of crop rotation, cover crops, and no-till. Students also visited the CE SAIN Agricultural Technology Park to learn more about sustainable agricultural practices. Lastly, high school students received awards for creativity, content and best work on their posters.
You can find more information on this symposium at https://ciampittilab.wixsite.com/youth2022.