Greetings!

On behalf of the Government of Kenya, I am pleased to welcome the participants to the 19th International Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) to be held in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2022. On the same breath, I wish to congratulate the ISTRC Governing Council for choosing to hold this important meeting in Kenya. It is our honour as the Government of Kenya to co-host the event together with AATF and I hereby wish to reiterate our joint commitment to ensuring we realize a successful symposium.

Nairobi is a perfect venue for those seeking a balance between business and a brush with nature. Referred to as the green city in the sun, it is a vibrant hub that also boasts as one of Africa’s only first-rate introductions to a wildlife and safari experience right within the city at the Nairobi national park. The shopping experience, nightlife, and food is varied with a wide choice of shopping malls and restaurants serving African and exotic menus.

May I also take this opportunity to confirm that the Local Organising Committee with membership from public and private sectors and key international and national organisations in Kenya will execute the preparations of the ISTRC symposium to deliver a meeting that will be worth recognition.

We will, together with AATF our co-host, rally the key stakeholders and partners to drive the success of the symposium globally. I must commend the Society for fostering and supporting activities leading to the general improvement of the world tropical root and tuber crops production and utilization.

It is through such symposia that research outputs are shared, future patterns decided and a wide-ranging decision on the position of tropical root and tuber crops on the African continent and global agenda are made. The national importance of roots and tuber crops can’t be gainsaid. These crops play a key role in contributing to the national economies for most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and their overall Gross Domestic Product.

In Kenya, root and tuber crops are important food crops that have gained increased importance due to their role in food security, and ability to withstand drought as well as their potential for commercial processing.

I take note that these crops are the second most important food crops after cereals in Kenya that have the potential to contribute significantly to the food security needs of the Kenyan people, thereby helping to drive the country’s ambition of addressing food and nutrition insecurity and hunger as stipulated in the Big Four Agenda of the Government of Kenya.

Our responsibility as Government is to improve the standards of living and the quality of life of all the peoples of Kenya and across the region, and we are happy to collaborate with likeminded organisations such as ISTRC and AATF to help us achieve such visions of facilitating transformation in the agricultural sector in Africa.

Ladies and gentlemen, I commend you all for your hard work and dedication in serving the continent.

Karibuni Kenya, welcome to Kenya!
Thank you.

Dear friends,

It gives me a great pleasure to welcome you all to the 19th International Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) to be held from 21 to 25 November 2022 at the Safari Park, Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. I wish to also appreciate the Government of Kenya (GoK) for accepting to co-host the Symposium with AATF and the ISTRC Governing Council for identifying AATF as the lead organisation that will spearhead the organizing of this important meeting.

ISTRC is one of the most prestigious symposia globally that discusses the status,economic and nutritional importance of Roots and Tuber Crops (RTCs). The ISTRC symposium has come a long way and has established itself as one of the best forums bringing together international stakeholders especially those working on the RTCs and has played a catalytic role in the development of RTCs.

AATF, a leading advocate of the use of technology to facilitate transformation in the agricultural sector is pleased to be associated with the Symposium. Indeed, there is a clear nexus between the objectives of the ISTRC symposium and the mission of AATF, which cut itself as an African based and African led organisation that brings agricultural technologies closer to small holder farmers while empowering them to become globally competitive through efficient delivery and commercialization of agricultural technologies, access to local and international markets hence facilitating achievement of food security and the growth of the market share of Africa in the global market while paying special attention to the youth, women and children.

AATF focuses on crucial value chains including RTCs as well as other key staples, within a strategic approach that feeds into continental and global strategies such as the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063-the Africa we want; the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth.

AATF is pleased to work with the ISTRC Council, the Government of Kenya and all other stakeholders including the Local Organising Committee involved in the planning to organize a befitting Symposium, whose outcomes will go a long way towards enhancing the agriculture dependent livelihoods of small holder farmers in Africa.

We are confident the Symposium will be an excellent opportunity for those interested in root and tuber crops from around the world especially Sub-Saharan Africa, to showcase their expertise and share and compare knowledge on how they can contribute to
transforming the global agri-food systems.

We are excited and looking forward to welcoming you all to Nairobi.

Welcome! Karibuni!

Greetings!

It is my honour to extend a warm welcome to all the participants to the 19th International Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) to be held in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2022. It is my gratitude to AATF and the Government of Kenya for agreeing to co-host the meeting. I take great pleasure to note the ongoing planning activities by the Local Organising Committee represented by local, regional and international organisations towards actualisation of the event.  

The theme of the Symposium “Technological and business innovations for strengthening root and tuber crops for resilient food, nutrition and industrial systems towards sustainable economic development” has been carefully selected to create an opportunity for buyers, investors, key decision makers, to showcase the latest technologies, products, and services and partnerships for various stakeholders.

The sub-themes of the symposium ranging from crop improvement; agricultural biotechnology; sustainable seed systems; digital solutions; technology transfer, adoption and stewardship; among others, will also provide an opportunity for scientists from all over Africa and around the world to network, exchange information and innovative ideas, and to initiate new collaborative studies on how roots and tuber crops can be further improved.

This is the basis upon which ISTRC was created to foster, stimulate, and support any type of activity leading to the general improvement of world tropical root crop production and utilisation. These crops are essential to meeting global food security needs, improving staple foods of world’s poor and creating new opportunities in global food supply.

Since its inception, ISTRC have all been highly successful and have continued to attract an ever-widening group of participants, as illustrated by the increasing size of the proceedings.

In addition to international triennial symposia, several associated and regional events have occurred over the past years including the African Branch (AB) of the Society, which was formally launched in June 1978, and since then regular regional symposia have been held. We are glad to hold the meeting in Africa once again. 

This will be a chance for Kenya and other Sub-Saharan Africa countries to showcase their expertise and for workers from other parts of the world to learn and experience first-hand.

I take this early opportunity to wish you all a successful meeting. 

Welcome. Thank you!