CABI Centenary Celebration

CABI Celebrates One Hundred Years of Improving Food Security and Protecting Biodiversity. Two-day workshop outline priorities for improving livelihoods of farmers in India.Improving crop yields, safeguarding the environment, and improving access to scientific knowledge: these key issues will be on the agenda at a major presentation and workshop to be opened in New Delhi on 29 November 2010. The two-day event, attended by 200 people, is being held as part of the centenary celebrations of international science and development organization CABI (CAB International), under the theme of CABI India: Innovative Knowledge Solutions for South Asia. The range of high profile speakers include Dr M. S. Swaminathan, (the legendary scientist and pioneer for green revolution in Indian agriculture), Dr Trevor Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer, CABI, Dr Dennis Rangi, Executive Director for International Development, CABI and Dr Ravi Khetarpal, Science Director (Asia) & Country Director (India), CABI. “CABI has been working with India on issues concerning agriculture and knowledge for many years. It has been mainly known to the academia through its quality scientific publishings so far, said Dr Khetarpal. CABI first established a Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control in 1948, and a fully fledged office at New Delhi in 2001. “Our focus is on helping India’s many farmers improve their yields and the quality of their crops - by supporting them in managing pests and diseases, and ensuring that they can both access markets and have the knowledge and skills to be able to meet international standards for export. The purpose of this event is not only to celebrate CABI’s centenary, but also to bring together the major stakeholders in agriculture in India to share experiences and exchange ideas on knowledge solutions that have the potential to support agriculture and the environment.” “As one of CABI’s member countries, India plays a key role in determining our strategy and direction,” said Dr Trevor Nicholls, CABI's Chief Executive Officer.