Agenda

20-22 November, 2023

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Registration

08:00am - 09:00am Lobby

Opening Session and Honouring Ceremony

09:00am - 10:55am Hall 1

  • Arrival of the Patron of the Forum’s Ceremony, the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), His Excellency Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli
  • The Royal Anthem and Forum Opening
  • Promo Video of the Forum 
  • The National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture General Manager Speech, His Excellency Prof. Abdulrahman Al-Soqeer
  • Signing Agreement and Keynote Speakers Recognition 
  • The Official Opening of the Exhibition
  • Poster Session
Theme 1: Maximization of Natural Resources Use in Agricultural Production

11:00am - 12:00pm Hall 1

The Optimum Use of Natural Resources in the Arab Region
Dr. Naser Eddin Al Obaid, Director-General of (ACSAD) Organization.

Theme 1: Maximization of Natural Resources Use in Agricultural Production (Sustainable Water Use)

12:00pm - 01:40pm Hall 1

Moderator:
Dr. Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Khudairi, Vice President for Sustainability and Environment, KACST, Saudi Arabia.

Speakers:

  • Innovative Approaches to Maximize Irrigation Water Use in Saudi Arabia's Agricultural Sector  
    Prof. Salah El-Hendawy, King Saud Univesity, Saudi Arabia.
  • A Paradigm Shift in Irrigation Strategies Under Water Scarcity: From Efficiency to Productivity
    Prof. Theib Y. Oweis, ICARDA, Jordan.
  • Agricultural Water Use from Space: From Field to National Scale Monitoring
    Prof. Matthew F McCabe, KAUST, Saudi Arabia.  
  • Ensuring Maximum Water Use Efficiency in Desert Agriculture, Avoiding the Use of Ground Water
    Pierre Broun, NEOM, Saudi Arabia.  
  • Session Discussion
  • Coffee Break
Theme 1: Maximization of Natural Resources Use in Agricultural Production (Enhancing Agricultural Production by Improving Soil Properties).

02:40am - 04:00pm Hall 1

Moderator:
Prof. Maha Khayyat, Professor of Semiconductors Physics, KACST, Saudi Arabia.

Speakers:

  • Biofertilizers An Effective Tool Toward Sustainability in Arid and Semi-arid Regions
    Prof. Abdulhakim Bawadekji, Northern Border University Arar, Saudi Arabia.
  • How to Increase Soil Carbon
    Prof. Yakov Kuzyakov, Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Germany.
  • Impact of Biochar, Biopolymers, and Natural Nanoclay on Enhancing Soil Quality and Fertility
    Prof. Mohammad Alwabel, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
  • Stress Mitigation by Plant Nutrition
    Prof. İsmail Çakmak, Sabanci University, Turkey. 
  • Session Discussion
Theme 1: Maximization of Natural Resources Use in Agricultural Production (Promoting the Economic Value and the Use of Wild Plant Species)

12:00pm - 01:40pm Hall 2

Moderator:
Dr. Felwa A. Thagafan, Associate Professor of Parasitology, Dean of College of Science, Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University, Saudi Arabia. 

Speakers:

  • The Contribution of Orphan Crops and Wild Edible Species in Food Security
    Dr. Rakesh K. Singh, ICBA, UAE.
  • The Utilization of Crop Wild Relatives in Modern Breeding for Stress Resistance Improvement
    Dr. Alanoud Alfagham, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
  • Enhancing the Utilization of Wild Plants of Economic Value and Focus on the Sustainable Use of Wild Plants
    Dr. Ali Al Lawati, Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Oman.
  • Evaluation of the Therapeutic Efficacy of the Wild Native Plants Used in Traditional Veterinary Medicine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    Prof. Ibrahim El-Ashmawy, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.
  • Session Discussion
  • Coffee Break
Theme 1: Maximization of Natural Resources Use in Agricultural Production (Bio-stimulants Use to Improve the Agricultural production).

02:20am - 04:00am Hall 2

Moderator:
Prof. Zeid Alothman, Dean of College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.

Speakers:

  • Application of Bio-Stimulants to Improve Yield and Stress Resilience of Crops 
    Dr. Michal Slota, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland.
  • PGPFs from a Halophyte Grass Rhizosphere Enhance Plant Growth, Salt Stress Tolerance, and Reduces Chemical Fertilizers Inputs
    Dr. Afif AlHassiri, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
  • Desert Microbes for Enhanced Salt, Water and Heat Resilience in Agriculture
    Prof. Heribert Hirt, KAUST, Saudi Arabia.
  • Development and Applications of Hormone-Based Stimulants
    Prof. Salim Al-Babili, KAUST, Saudi Arabia.
  • Session Discussion

Registration

08:00am - 09:00am Lobby

Precision Agriculture

09:00am - 09:35am Hall 1

Keynote Speech | Advancing Precision Agriculture Through Scientific Breakthroughs

Prof. David Mulla, Professor Larson Endowed Chair in Soil and Water Resources Director of the Precision Agriculture Center, University of Minnesota, USA.

Theme 2: Precision Agriculture

09:35am - 11:40am Hall 1

Moderator
Dr. Ahmed Alsaqufi, Dean of Agriculture and Food Sciences College at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.

Speakers

  • Drone and Ground Based Remote Sensing for Precision Agriculture
    Dr. Ce Yang, University of Minnesota, USA.  
  • The Application of Remote Sensing Technologies in Precision Crop Management
    Dr. Francelino Rodrigues, Lincoln Agritech, Lincoln university, New Zealand.
  • What the Plant Researchers and Breeders Have to do in Digital Era?
    Prof. Yong Suk Chung, JEJU University, South Korea.
  • Analysis of Productivity and Water Footprint of Vegetables Grown in the Riyadh Region: A Remote Sensing and GIS Approach
    Prof. Khalid Algaadi, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
  • The Brazilian Experience of Tropical Precision Agriculture
    Prof. Jose Paulo Molin, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Session Discussion
  • Coffee Break (Poster presentations are shown during Coffee Breaks)
Climate Smart Agriculture

12:20pm - 12:55pm Hall 1

Dr. Abdulaziz Almalik, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Research & Innovation, Saudi Arabia.

Theme 3: Climate Smart Agriculture

12:55pm - 03:00pm Hall 1

Moderator
Prof. Salim Al-Babili, Professor of Plant Science | Associate Dean of Faculty, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, KAUST, Saudi Arabia.

Speakers:

  • Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Climate Change in Dry Environments
    Dr. Abdulaziz Niane, ICARDA, UAE.
  • Promoting Advancement in Agriculture to Effectively Enhance Food Productivity
    Dr. Essam Jamea, Manager Research & Technology at SABIC Agri-Nutrients, Saudi Arabia.
  • The Impact and Behavioural Analysis of the Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices Among Farm Households in Developing Countries
    Dr. Zainab Oyetunde-Usman, Rothamsted Research, UK.
  • Regenerative Agriculture as Low-Emission Development Pathway Combating Climate Change, Environmental Degradation in Drylands
    Dr. Ashok Kumar Are, ICRISAT, India.
  • Green Technology in Agriculture: Current Status and Opportunities
    Dr. Mohamad Zabawi Bin Abdul Ghani, MARDI, Malaysia.
  • Session Discussion
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

09:00am - 09:35am Hall 2

Dr. Thaer Yaseen, Regional Plant Protection Officer Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa Region (NENA).

Theme 4: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

09:35am - 11:40am Hall 2

Moderator:
Dr. Abdulaziz Eljiati, Chief of Farming Al Madinah Heritage Company An Nakheel, BIAC, Saudi Arabia.

Speakers:

  • Integrated Weed Management: The Key to Sustainable Farming
    Prof. Josef Soukup, President of European Weed Research Society, Czech.
  • The Use of Microorganisms for Bological Control for High Productivity in Agricultural Production
    Prof. Johan A. Stenberg, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden.
  • Using Viruses for Insect Pest Management and Focussing on Baculoviruses
    Dr. Mudasir Gani, SKUAST-Kashmir University, India.
  • The Use of Natural Enemies in Integrated Pest Management
    Dr. Hessel van der Heide, Wageningen University, Netherlands.
  • Plant Extracts and Their Applications in Pest Control
    Dr. Luma Al-Banna, Jordan University, Jordan.
  • Session Discussion
  • Coffee Break (Poster presentations are shown during Coffee Breaks)
Marketing and Sustainable Food Value Chains

12:20pm - 12:55pm Hall 2

Dr. AbdulHakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director- General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa.

Theme 5: Marketing and Sustainable Food Value Chains

12:55pm - 03:00pm Hall 2

Moderator:
Mr. Woody Ang, Director – Food Ecosystems, NEOM, Saudi Arabia.

Speakers:

  • Supply Chain Best Practices for Maximizing Food Handling, Storage, and Marketing Efficiency 
    Prof. Ayman Abou Hadid, Former minister of Agriculture, Professor at Ain Shams University, Egypt.
  • Efficient Supply Chains to Reduce Food Loss and Waste
    Dr. Dinesh Chauhan, Vice-President, Dehaat, India.
  • Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy for Emerging Markets: Evidence from Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
    Dr. Stella Despoudi, University of Western Macedonia, Greece.
  • The Role of Industry 4.0 Technologies in Fostering Food Sustainability in Agriculture: Technology for Fruits and Vegetable Production and Processing 
    Dr. Abdo Hassoun, Sustainable Agrifoodtech Innovation & Research (Safir), France.
  • Analysis of the Current Value Chain of Vegetables and Fruits in Saudi Arabia
    Prof. Salah M. Aleid, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
  • Session Discussion

Registration

08:00am - 09:00am Lobby

Investment in Sustainable Agriculture

09:00am - 09:35am Hall 1

Dr. Aly Abousabaa, Regional Director, Central and West Asia and North Africa, CGIAR, as well as Director General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

Theme 6: Investment in Sustainable Agriculture

09:35am - 11:40am Hall 1

Moderator:
Dr. Zeyad Alzeyadi, Acting General Manager Dept. of Research & Knowledge Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture, Saudi Arabia.

Speakers:

  • Addressing the Investment Gaps of Saudi Agri-food Systems
    Dr. Adil El-Tayeb Abdelnour, Estidamah Center, Saudi Arabia.
  • Unlocking the Potential: Exploring Investment Opportunities in Black Soldier Fly Technology for Sustainable Agriculture 
    Dr. Ahmed Obied Rady, EGYMAG Biotechnology - Founder ,CEO, Egypt.
  • Waste into Wealth: Maximizing Economic Returns and Sustainability via Agro-Waste Valorization
    Dr. Abdallah Soubhy Ali, Cairo University, Egypt.
  • Waste to Energy: Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture
    Dr Abed Alaswad, Director, Engineering for Sustainable Development Research Centre, Aston University, UK.
  • Responsible Agriculture Waste Management for Sustainable Food Systems and Rural Development
    Dr. Kakoli Ghosh, FAO, Saudi Arabia.
  • Session Discussion
  • Coffee Break (Poster presentations are shown during Coffee Breaks)
Protected Agriculture Technologies

09:00am - 09:35am Hall 2

Recent Developments in Protected Agriculture
Prof. Yuksel Tuzel, Former President of International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), Professor at Ege University, Turkey. 

Theme 7: Protected Agriculture Technologies

09:35am - 12:00pm Hall 2

Moderator:
Dr. Jouke Campen, International Project Manager, Wageningen University, Netherlands.  S

peakers:

  • Modern systems and Technologies in Greenhouse Cultivation
    Prof. Cecilia Stanghellini,Wageningen University, Netherlands.
  • Exploring Sustainable Alternatives in Greenhouse Growing Media Selection
    Prof. Nazim S. Gruda,University of Bonn, Germany.
  • Balancing Crop and Energy Yield in Controlled Environment Agriculture Using Energy Producing Shading Screens
    Prof. Michael F. Salvador, KAUST, Saudi Arabia.
  • Vertical Farming and Its Role in Food Security
    Prof.  Abdullah Alsadon, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
  • Application of Three-dimensional Technology to Vertical Farming
    Prof. Jung Eek Son, Seoul National University, South Korea.
  • Evaluation of Greenhouse Technologies at Estidamah Center and Their Effect on Crop Productivity, Water, and Energy Use Efficiency 
    Dr. Muien Qaryouti,Research and Development Dept., Estidamah Center, Saudi Arabia.
  • Session Discussion
  • Coffee Break (Poster presentations are shown during Coffee Breaks) 
  • Plenary Session and Closing (Hall 1)