One of the established agricultural research conferences is back on tow.

Prof. Dr. Mathias Becker
, University of Bonn started by stating that he was sure topics titled such as “Iron Assimilation pathways are not the blockbusters” for participants to trail back year after year to this conference. He feels this year’s theme “Development on the margin” reflects the present scenario in the world very well with issues like soil degradation, inequality and so on being on the rise with globalisation aggravating the situation. This situation does not make the achievement of MDG’s easy. The worst hit due to these issues are the people living on the margins. It is one of the priority areas of the Federal Ministry of Economic Corporation and Development in Germany and hence Tropentag 2011 was strongly encouraged by the Federal Minister of BMZ, Dirk Niebel.

Tropentag 2011 kicked off with Prof. Dr. Christa E. Müller, Prorector University of Bonn welcoming the participants of which, 500 members were present in the auditorium on behalf of the University of Bonn. More than 1100 participants are expected over the next days from over 80 countries. Tropentag conference is an initiative of many European universities, tropical and sub- tropical agriculture organisations, agricultural research institutes, GIZ and others. She also mentioned that, this year’s theme matches with the prime research interest of the university. She feels this is a good platform for scientific and personal exchange between junior and senior scientists, development experts and fund- raising organizations.

She declared the Tropentag 2011 Conference officially open.

Stay tuned to know more about the conference proceedings...

Some photos from the registration and welcome address: