THE urgent need to stay relevant by deploying current innovations should not be limited to manufacturing, electrical and electronics (E&E), information technology, or any other high-value industries in Penang, but it is time to go beyond for more sustainable growth.
While we continue to face ongoing issues such as climate change, deforestation, outdoor burning, and other forms of acts threatening nature, it is only right that we capitalise on new innovation to improve our livability and environment.
One way is by elevating tropical agriculture in our country, and through the Malaysian Plant Protection Society (MAPPS), the 13th International Conference on Plant Protection in the Tropics (ICPPT) was officially launched today at the St. Giles Wembley Hotel in George Town.
Attracting over 200 participants of various backgrounds, the conference brings together international and local experts in the field of tropical agriculture under one roof to discuss and explore current breakthroughs and emerging trends to improve plant protection across the nation.
State Trade and National Unity Committee chairman Goh Choon Aik officiated the event.
ICPPT chairman Dr Mohd As’wad Abdul Wahab was also in attendance and, in his earlier speech, described the conference as timely as the nation navigates a shifting regulatory landscape and faces a pressing need to feed a growing global population sustainably.
“The theme of the conference, “Redefining Plant Protection: Crop Resilience Through Sustainable Innovation”, could not be timelier.
“Tropical agriculture today stands at a crucial crossroads, and it is important we embrace technology the way it should be in such areas that guarantees a lasting positive impact on our economy as a whole,” As’wad said in his speech earlier.
The three-day conference, which officially started today and ends on Sept 25, will feature international experts holding keynote and plenary sessions on tropical agriculture, technical oral and poster presentations, exhibition and industry showcase featuring agrochemical leaders, biotechnology firms, equipment suppliers, and academic institutions.
Meanwhile, Goh, representing Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was unable to attend, said that the state was proud to host events of such a nature, taking a shift beyond the rich cultural heritage and culinary landscape.
“Tropical regions are among the most biodiverse and agriculturally productive ecosystems. Yet, our agricultural landscapes are increasingly vulnerable. Rising global temperatures, climate instability, evolving pest dynamics, and emerging plant diseases directly threaten food security and global supply chains.
“This aligns with the conference’s theme this year, ‘Redefining Plant Protection: Crop Resilience Through Sustainable Innovation.’ Redefining plant protection requires us to shift our focus from short-term eradication to long-term ecosystem resilience, integrating eco-friendly innovations that bridge translational research with real field application.
“At the state level, our government is deeply committed to advancing modern farming practices and food security. We view sustainable plant protection not merely as an environmental imperative, but as a core pillar of economic stability and food sovereignty,” Goh said.
He further emphasised that by bridging the gap between scientific innovation and actual farming practices, we must ensure that breakthroughs do not remain confined to laboratories, but are translated into field applications.
The MAPPS was established in 1976 to primarily promote and advance the science and practice of plant protection in Malaysia, and with some 300 members worldwide, the society has contributed tremendously in the transfer of pest management technologies.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian