International Sunflower Conference: original and rich contributions from the Institute
International Sunflower Conference: original and rich contributions from the Institute
From June 20 to 23, Terres Inovia actively participated in the International Sunflower Conference, in Novi-Sad, Serbia. The institute brought to the forefront of the international scene, in front of 400 participants, crucial topics for sunflower production and processing.
It was long overdue. Initially scheduled for 2020, in the midst of a health crisis, the International Sunflower Conference ISC 2022, postponed twice, finally took place in 2022, in Novi-Sad (Serbia), from June 20 to 23.
Organized by the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (IFVC), under the leadership of the International Sunflower Association (ISA). This international association, for which Terres Inovia provides the secretariat, is intended to promote research and develop sunflower production.
400 participants and numerous presentations on sunflower
Despite a still unstable situation and a political and economic context that is not very favorable, ICS 2022 brought together 400 participants from all over the world, even if the United States and especially China, where travel restrictions are drastic, were poorly represented. Russians and Ukrainians were also few in number. The conference included nine keynote lectures, 74 presentations and 80 posters. The event ended with a round-table discussion intended to summarize the lessons learned from the various presentations.
The active role of Terres Inovia
The technical institute teams were very active: six delegates were sent to present a main conference, six oral presentations and two posters. They also moderated one plenary session and three oral presentation sessions.
Their contributions made it possible to address crucial topics for sunflower production and processing, which are often little developed elsewhere, particularly those related to the downstream sector and the economy. Thus, Emmanuelle Mestries drew up an inventory of the evolution of the races of mildew in France and Christophe Sausse made an assessment of the research and problems related to bird damage. Sylvie Dauguet also presented the Institute's work on the quality of oilcake and the new sieving techniques used to achieve protein contents comparable to those of soybean oilcake, which prompted many questions and requests for contacts.
We must also highlight the intervention of Vincent Lecomte, who explained the evolution of agricultural practices and the possible margins of maneuver through the original - and often envied - system of crop surveys practiced in France. David Gouache, deputy director of Terres Inovia, explained the institute's research and development strategies in support of the French Protein Plan.
Etienne Pilorgé also gave an economic overview of sunflower production in the world, and proposed elements of analysis of the consequences of the war in Ukraine, insofar as Russia and Ukraine represent nearly 80% of exports of sunflower oil and cake.
During these two days, Terres Inovia - represented by Laetitia Devedeux - was also present on the ISA stand. She contributed with Etienne Pilorgé to the animation of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors of ISA in the margin of the Conference.
For more information on ISA:
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The presentation of ISA in our international projects