“I want to tell the entire world about the Crawford Fund”… read the reflections from our Tasmanian scholars
November 21, 2023
The Crawford Fund’s Annual Conference was held in September in Canberra and online.
As well as bringing together the world’s leading experts in agricultural science, research, policy, development and industry, the Crawford Fund encourages the next generation in international agriculture for development to the event via scholarships awarded through our State and Territory committees and scholar supporters.
Our competitive conference scholarship program started in 2010 in the hope that by experiencing the Crawford Fund conference and network, our special program of activities around the conference and being mentored by inspirational experienced researchers, young researchers would be inspired and energised to be more involved. The results have been fantastic, with a great mix of youth and experience at our flagship event each year and a growing and enthusiastic conference scholar alumni approaching 450.
Our other activities to encourage university students and early career researcher include highlighting opportunities in volunteering for projects overseas; our work with Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID), and our special international student awards to enable students to be involved in overseas projects as part of their university study.
One of the requirements of the scholarship is that each scholar provides us with a reflection on their experience. We will be providing these reflections over the coming weeks, grouped by State.
We would like to thank our wonderful mentors, mentioned alongside the scholar they supported, who volunteer their time and offer valuable guidance, support and insights to the scholars throughout the conference.
Five scholars from Tasmania attended the 2023 Crawford Fund conference supported by our Tasmanian Committee. Highlights of their experiences have been captured below:
Yashkumar Desai, University of Tasmania
“The conference featured high-quality sessions and speakers who addressed the challenges and opportunities in food security. Insights from experts like Dr. Cary Fowler, Kym Anderson, and Dr. Ubalijoro underscored the urgency of addressing global food security through resilient crops, research, and innovative partnerships.”
Maria Ortiz, University of Tasmania – TAS Farm Innovation Hub
“I couldn’t be more grateful about the opportunity I had to participate as a scholar, where I not only had access to the conference but also to an amazing mentor that opened my mind to a bigger and amazing picture of what it means to work in agriculture with passion and commitment. I want to tell the entire world about the Crawford Fund and hope to be involved in the conferences every year for the rest of my career in agriculture and animal health.”
Sarah Roberts, University of Tasmania
“One of the most enjoyable and fruitful aspects of the Crawford conference was the various discussions I had with Crawford Fund attendees, especially as there was such a large range of early to late career and research figures…I also had the pleasure of being introduced to aspects of agriculture I had not considered before, such as the media consideration for researchers and the role of women in international agriculture.”
Joanna Talbot, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania
“As part of my goals for the year, I am committed to sharing my conference experience with colleagues and encouraging their participation as scholars in future events. I firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to attend such a conference as it will not only develop your professional goals but also contributes to the effort of ensuring global food security in an increasingly uncertain world, safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity, and preserving its genetic heritage.”
Haydn Tracey-Shaw, University Tasmania
“The conference was a revelation, with speakers opening my eyes to the larger world of agricultural research, its significance, and the future path. Having an interest in waste management and logistical issues facing agriculture, I was highly interested to hear about developments in policy and innovations that will encourage a new future for international agriculture. I walked away from the event with a different mindset and bigger ideas that I look forward to challenging in the future.”
Read on for the full reflections of each scholar:
Yashkumar Desai, University of Tasmania
Mentor: Neville Mendham
Prior to attending the Crawford Fund’s Annual Conference, my understanding of agriculture was limited to crops, plant science, and soil studies. However, this conference opened my eyes to the broader scope of agriculture, including global grain supply and the critical role it plays in ensuring global food security.
The Crawford Fund stands out for its dedication to promoting the impact and benefits of research in the field of food and nutrition security. Participating in the conference was a remarkable experience.
This conference united leading experts in agricultural science, research, policy, and development, demonstrating the Crawford Fund’s commitment to fostering the next generation of researchers in international agriculture. I would like to express my gratitude to the dedicated mentors who generously offer guidance and support to scholars during the conference.
I was one of the fortunate scholars from the University of Tasmania to attend the 2023 Crawford Fund conference, supported by the TAS Committee. The conference theme, “Global food security in a riskier world,” highlighted the critical issues impacting food security worldwide.
The conference featured high-quality sessions and speakers who addressed the challenges and opportunities in food security. Insights from experts like Dr. Cary Fowler, Kym Anderson, and Dr. Ubalijoro underscored the urgency of addressing global food security through resilient crops, research, and innovative partnerships.
The scholar event, organised by the RAID Network, promoted collaboration, and understanding among scholars, opening doors to future partnerships, and learning opportunities.
My experience at the Crawford Fund’s Annual Conference was truly enlightening. It was a fantastic journey into the world of food security and agricultural innovation. I had the opportunity to learn from experts, receive mentorship, and share a common vision for the future of global agriculture. This experience has sown the seeds of change in my academic path, nourished by the wisdom of experts, and I’m eager to cultivate the fruits of global food security in the years to come.
Maria Ortiz, University of Tasmania – TAS Farm Innovation Hub
Mentor: David McGill
Attending the Crawford Conference was a privilege, the conversations during the scholar days and at the conference influenced me deeply as an early career professional. I was able to broaden my perspective of agriculture as well as value my contribution to food security.
The topic of the conference: Global Food Security in a Riskier Environment: Diversification for Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems exceeded my expectations; contextualising this topic in such a timely and dynamic manner was certainly achieved during the conference and the conversations. Discussions around career opportunities in international agriculture filled me with excitement and urgency of contributing more than even to the development and sustainability of food systems. The conference topics and speakers did an amazing job in integrating climate change, social challenges, and food production priorities in the presentations.
The topics and discussions of this conference have contributed to my current professional role, as well as nurture the professional I want to be during my career. The kindness and commitment to early career professional development during all the days of the conference was overwhelming, attending this conference emphasised what I have been intending to incorporate in my daily work: that we are in the business of feeding the world and nurturing our planet while we are doing so. Coming from a developing country and hearing about all the great work that is happening in international agriculture development motivates me to get involved as well as contribute to the generation of knowledge in the country I now call home – Australia – to be able to share this with the rest of the world.
Having moved to Australia six years ago as a veterinarian it has been a journey to find my feet back as a professional, before I attended the Crawford Fund conference I wasn’t even sure on how I could contribute to the bigger picture of food production and if my knowledge and skills were contributing to the current work I am involved in, the conference and everyone I met throughout the day made me realise that every action that I do every day working in agriculture contributes and adds value to achieving sustainable and accessible food security for the entire world.
I couldn’t be more grateful about the opportunity I had to participate as a scholar, where I not only had access to the conference but also to an amazing mentor that opened my mind to a bigger and amazing picture of what it means to work in agriculture with passion and commitment. I want to tell the entire world about the Crawford Fund and hope to be involved in the conferences every year for the rest of my career in agriculture and animal health.
Sarah Roberts, University of Tasmania
Mentor: Anna Mackintosh
The 2023 Crawford conference was an incredible experience, and one I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to attend. This year’s conference centred around food security systems in the face of conflict, covid and climate change. This was a highly relevant topic, and it was very fascinating to see how different speakers and conference attendees addressed these issues.
The conference outstripped my expectations greatly by providing not only an opportunity to listen and speak to a number of key figures in the food security sphere. But an amazing opportunity to interact with other conference attendees at mealtime discussions and in guided group activities. As a second-year undergraduate student this provided me with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the various research and career pathways available.
One of the most enjoyable and fruitful aspects of the Crawford conference was the various discussions I had with Crawford Fund attendees, especially as there was such a large range of early to late career and research figures. The conference also opened my eyes to some of the prominent Australian agricultural companies involved in international agriculture. I also had the pleasure of being introduced to aspects of agriculture I had not considered before, such as the media consideration for researchers and the role of women in international agriculture.
Furthermore, the curated atmosphere of the conference was incredibly welcoming and allowed for easy mingling regardless of accolades. My ability to smoothly integrate with conference attendees was greatly aided by my mentor Anna Mackintosh. I would like to thank her for being such a helpful and friendly presence to me during the conference and the scholar activities. I would also like to thank everyone involved in funding or organising the scholarship program for the conference. Attending the conference was an incredible opportunity and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested at any stage of their university studies or career.
Joanna Talbot, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania
Mentor: Peter Wynn
Wow, what an opportunity… Attending the Crawford Fund conference as a scholar was an unexpected opportunity for me. I initially had doubts about my eligibility due to my age. To my surprise, I received an email congratulating me on being selected as a scholar. This report is a reflection on my incredible journey at the Crawford Fund conference, where I had the privilege of connecting with industry professionals, learning from distinguished speakers, and gaining insights into global food security challenges, sustainable agricultural practices, and the critical significance of healthy soils and adapted crops.
One of my initial concerns attending the conference was not knowing anyone. Thankfully, I had the guidance of my mentor, Peter Wynn, who played a central role in ensuring my comfort and readiness for the event. A week before the conference, I reached out to Peter, and his reassuring kindness, confidence, and extensive knowledge of agricultural research immediately put me at ease. He not only guaranteed a warm welcome but also committed to introducing me to industry experts, significantly boosting my confidence.
The conference’s theme, “Global Food Security in a Riskier World,” resonated with its timely and thought-provoking nature. Throughout the event, we had the privilege of hearing from inspirational keynote speakers who generously shared their insights into international agricultural research for development. Among them, Dr. Eliane Ubalijoro stood out. Her presentation included the role of gene banks in preserving biodiversity and safeguarding genetic diversity for future generations. She emphasised the contributions of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), CIFOR is a non-profit, scientific institution that conducts research on forest and landscape management globally. Seeds represent a lifeline for restoring ecosystems and ensuring food security, especially in regions scarred by conflicts such as the Rwandan genocide. Dr. Ubalijoro’s message highlighted the significance of gene banks as guardians of genetic diversity, serving as a biological insurance policy for our planet.
The discussions during the conference emphasised that achieving food security relies on fertile soil and adapted crops. In regions like Africa, facing a growing population, addressing issues related to poor soils and non-suited crops is of utmost importance. The State Department’s vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (FACTS) in Africa, with its focus on improved soil mapping and analytics, was presented as an important approach. The conference also stressed the pressing need to combat soil erosion in Africa, a threat to long-term food security. It was acknowledged that soil health is fundamental to sustainable agriculture.
One of the significant aspects of my participation in the Crawford Fund conference was the opportunity to network with fellow scholars, postgraduate students, and industry leaders. These interactions deepened my knowledge and extended my understanding of agricultural research and development. Learning from peers and experts in the field further motivated me to make a more impactful contribution to the agricultural community.
My experience at the Crawford Fund conference in 2023 was extremely informative. It deepened my understanding of global food security challenges reinforcing the critical importance of nurturing healthy soil and cultivating adapted crops and highlighted the important role of gene banks in preserving biodiversity. As part of my goals for the year, I am committed to sharing my conference experience with colleagues and encouraging their participation as scholars in future events. I firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to attend such a conference as it will not only develop your professional goals but also contributes to the effort of ensuring global food security in an increasingly uncertain world, safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity, and preserving its genetic heritage. I would like to thank the Tasmanian Crawford Fund committee for offering me this opportunity.
Haydn Tracey-Shaw, University Tasmania
Mentor: Richard Warner
As a first-time attendee at the Crawford Conference, I arrived with high hopes and anticipation. Unlike the seasoned veterans, this was my inaugural experience, and I was starting my journey as a first-year undergraduate student. My expectations were modest, yet they were exceeded in every way possible. Having a limited understanding of the Crawford Fund and RAID, I was eager to immerse myself in the world of agricultural research and development. My primary goals were to absorb as much knowledge as possible and to explore the potential opportunities that lay ahead in this field.
The organisation of the conference and scholar activities was impeccable, a feat that I greatly appreciated as a newcomer. It was no small task to coordinate such an event, and it allowed me to immediately engage with fellow scholars, students, and researchers. What struck me the most was the diversity of attendees, with professionals from various industries adding depth to the discussions.
The conference was a revelation, with speakers opening my eyes to the larger world of agricultural research, its significance, and the future path. Having an interest in waste management and logistical issues facing agriculture, I was highly interested to hear about developments in policy and innovations that will encourage a new future for international agriculture. I walked away from the event with a different mindset and bigger ideas that I look forward to challenging in the future.
As the conference ended, the RAID event provided a welcome opportunity to relax, process the wealth of information I had gathered, and build connections with newfound friends. The final day of scholar activities fostered lively discussions and the sharing of perspectives, further enriching my experience.
To conclude, I must express my profound gratitude to Mr Richard Warner, the chair of the TAS Committee, who graciously volunteered his time to be my mentor. His knowledge, guidance, and encouragement were invaluable to me as a first-year undergraduate student, and I am truly honoured to have had the opportunity to learn from him. The mentorship aspect of the Crawford Conference experience I found highly beneficial and thankful for taking the time to attend. I will be recommending this program to my classmates and anyone else wanting to have a larger appreciation of global agriculture.
