Can crop yields keep pace with a hungry world?

Tuesday, 13 October 2009

One of agriculture's most distinguished scientists, Dr Tony Fischer AM, will talk about the future for increased crop yields globally in a free public lecture at the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus.

Pre-eminent Australian crop physiologist and Honorary Research Fellow with CSIRO Plant Industry, Dr Fischer will present the University's inaugural AEV Richardson Lecture on Thursday 15 October at 4pm.

The AEV Richardson Lecture has been established by the University's School of Agriculture, Food and Wine in honour of the Foundation Professor of Agriculture and first Director of the Waite Agricultural Research Institute.

Professor Richardson led the establishment of the Waite Campus as a world leader in agricultural research and education and, as Director of the Waite from 1924 to 1938 and Deputy and Chief Executive Officer of CSIR from 1934 to 1949, he presided over research and development in Australian primary production during its period of most rapid growth.

At the lecture, Dr Fischer will discuss progress in cereal yields at key growing locations around the world and the prospects for further yield growth. He will talk about the roles of crop physiology, molecular biology and genetic engineering and the implications for natural resource use efficiency.

Dr Fischer's contribution has been previously recognised with the country's top awards in agriculture, including the CM Donald Medal and the William Farrer Memorial Medal, as well as membership to the Order of Australia.

He has a particular interest in agricultural development in the developing world and has been Director of the Wheat Program at the International Centre for the Improvement of Maize and Wheat (CIMMYT) in Mexico and research manager at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

WHAT: AEV Richardson Lecture: 'What's happening to cereal yields globally?'
WHERE: Plant Genomics Centre, Hartley Grove, University of Adelaide's Waite Campus, Urrbrae
WHEN: 4pm, Thursday 15 October 2009
COST: Free

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