How can agriculture drive climate adaptation, economic stability and regional peace?
August 21, 2026
The 2026 Crawford Fund for Food Security Annual Conference, focused around the theme, Emerging Voices Shaping Regional Integration for a Food Secure World, took place on 10–11 August 2026.
The ‘Agriculture as a driver of climate adaptation, economic stability, and regional peace’ session featured case studies showcasing research that delivers practical solutions for nutrition, sustainability, and community resilience.
“This session reflects really why this international work is really important and helps to showcase some of Australia’s investment and agricultural research across the region and why it matters,” said Dr Jared Greenville, First Assistant Secretary at the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, who chaired the session.
“We’ve heard about climate change, food insecurity, biosecurity threats, and supply chain disruptions – they don’t stop at national borders. And, research partnerships can help our neighbours lift their agricultural productivity and strengthen livelihoods. They also improve food security and build greater resilience to the challenge of climate and economic shocks,” he said.
“There are important benefits here for Australia as well. For example, working with other countries helps us better understand and manage pests and diseases. It helps us build a shared stronger biosecurity system and stronger supply chains that deliver for both us and our regional partner partners,” said Jared.
“These four case studies bring all this to life and provide a really good grounding of how research can deliver practical solutions.”
“The simple message is that a more productive, resilient and food secure region benefits everyone. It strengthens regional stability and supports the relationships, supply chains, and trading partnerships on which agriculture all depends,” he concluded.
The session featured:
- Professor Jaquie Mitchell, University of Queensland, and Ms Kylie Porter, SunRice, on climate-smart premium rice and securing future value chains in the Mekong Delta.
- Dr Mohammed Mainuddin, CSIRO Environment, on transforming saline cropping systems to strengthen food security in the Ganges Delta.
- Dr Dennis Beesigamukama, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), on the Black Soldier Fly’s journey from Africa to the Pacific and its potential to turn waste into wealth.
- Dr Tony Pattison, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, on the global race to stop Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4) and protect banana production.
The presentations were followed by a guided discussion and audience Q&A.
You can watch this session below:
