“From a personal perspective, the conference reignited my commitment to becoming a more active global citizen in agriculture for development.” – our first scholar reflection
August 26, 2025
The Crawford Fund’s Annual Conference was held earlier this month in Parliament House, Canberra. As well as bringing together the world’s leading experts in agricultural science, research, policy, development and industry to address the conference topic, the Crawford Fund is committed to encouraging the next generation in international agriculture for development to the event via scholarships awarded through our State and Territory committees and scholar supporters.
Our 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 August and a growing and enthusiastic conference scholar alumni approaching 485.
Our competitive conference scholarships are offered to young people with a genuine interest in international agricultural research and development to attend the conference and a special set of activities that we have developed and shaped over the past 15 years.
Our other activities to encourage university students and early career researcher include highlighting opportunities in volunteering for projects overseas through the Australian Volunteers Program; our work with Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID), and our special Henzell and Student Awards to enable students to experience overseas agriculture for development research while still at university.
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/Territory.
Once again, 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.
Md Monirul Islam from CSIRO in South Australia attended the 2025 Crawford Fund conference, supported by the Australasian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES). Highlights of his experience has been captured below:
“From a personal perspective, the conference reignited my commitment to becoming a more active global citizen in agriculture for development. It encouraged me to think critically about advocacy, inclusivity, and the need for collaborative solutions that benefit both people and the planet.”
Read on for his full reflection:
Md Monirul Islam, CSIRO, Adelaide
Mentor: Dong Wang, University of Queensland
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend the 2025 Crawford Fund Annual Conference and Scholar Program in Canberra, which is widely recognised as Australia’s premier food security event. This year’s theme, Progress and Prospects for Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems: Actionable Recommendations for Policymakers and Practitioners, set the stage for a rich exchange of ideas among an extraordinary mix of delegates from research, policy, industry, and development sectors across Australia and internationally.
The Scholar Program began with an orientation that encouraged us to view agriculture for development from a whole-systems perspective, considering alternative outlooks and diverse contexts, particularly from developing countries. This broadened my vision and reinforced the expansive opportunities available in agricultural research and development. I especially valued the platform to meet mentors and potential collaborators, which helped me reconsider my career prospects and explore new directions.
Throughout the conference, keynote presentations, case studies, and panel discussions underscored the urgency of building climate-resilient agrifood systems. Highlights included learning about low-emission solutions for rice production, climate services for agriculture in the Pacific, and inclusive approaches to climate adaptation. The sessions made clear that achieving sustainable food systems requires integrated, interdisciplinary approaches and genuine inclusion of women, youth, and underrepresented voices.
Networking was a standout feature of my experience. I had the opportunity to connect with agricultural economists and researchers from the University of New England, the University of Queensland, the University of Western Australia, the University of Tasmania, and La Trobe University. Conversations with my mentor were particularly valuable, helping me identify potential research collaborations as my current postdoctoral position at CSIRO comes to a close in early 2026. Through Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID) networking activities, I also engaged with numerous early-career researchers, strengthening my professional network and fostering a sense of community.
The scholar sessions reinforced the importance of being both vocal and inclusive, recognising agriculture as a truly global issue that demands bottom-up initiatives. I left inspired to advocate for sustainable agriculture and to translate research findings into practical, on-the-ground applications. Another important takeaway was the reminder to be humble and patient, to focus rather than attempt to be an expert in everything, and to embrace networking as a key professional asset.
From a personal perspective, the conference reignited my commitment to becoming a more active global citizen in agriculture for development. It encouraged me to think critically about advocacy, inclusivity, and the need for collaborative solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Overall, attending the Crawford Fund Conference and Scholar Program was an outstanding professional and personal experience. It expanded my knowledge, inspired new research ideas, and opened doors to valuable collaborations. I sincerely thank the Australasian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES) for funding my participation, and my current organisation, CSIRO, for enabling me to attend. This experience has left me motivated to contribute more actively to sustainable agricultural development in the Indo-Pacific, Southeast and South Asia, and Africa, and I look forward to continuing my engagement with the Crawford Fund in the years ahead.
