Agrotechnology

Improving crop production in developing countries

13^th International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

September 10-12, 2018 | Zurich, Switzerland

Mohammad Babadoost

University of Illinois, USA

Keynote: Agrotechnology

Abstract:

According to the reports by the United Nations, more than 800 million people in the world in 2016 were chronically undernourished. To improve food security, establishing sustainable food crop production in the world is essential. Despite losing some of the productive agricultural lands to urban developments throughout the world, there are still considerable land areas with plenty of water that can be utilized for production of food crops. However, despite vast efforts on plant protection, more than 30% of food crops and products are lost to plant pests (diseases, insects, and weeds). The losses are much higher in the developing countries than developed countries. To improve crop production and minimize the losses, establishing/strengthening national agricultural programs is essential. Productive agricultural programs require strong teaching, research, and extension establishments in every nation. Problem-solving in every area of the world should be based on the credible local research, complimented with credible and timely information-delivery to the end users. External helps are valuable, but they will be more productive if the helpers have satisfactory knowledge of the ethnical cultures of the assigned areas. Despite of the tremendous international efforts, effective problem-solving in production of food crops in the developing countries will be achieved by training local experts on teaching, research, and extension is agricultural disciplines.

Biography :

Mohammad Babadoost completed his Ph.D. in plant pathology at North Carolina State University. In 1999, he joined the faculty of the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, where he is now a Professor of Plant Pathology and Extension Specialist. Mohammad conducts research and extension programs on the biology and management of vegetable and fruit crops diseases, and teaches “Plant Disease Diagnosis and Management.” He has served as an editor of several peer-reviewed journal in the United States and worldwide. Dr. Babadoost has 53 peer-reviewed and more 300 extension articles. He has developed a profound commitment for establishing food security in the world.

E-mail: babadoos@illinois.edu