46th ROME Global Congress on Ecological Agriculture, Biodiversity & Waste Management (EABWM-25)

Call for papers

Topics of interest for submission include any topics on Conference Topics: Ecological Agriculture, Biodiversity & Waste Management

Here are some potential areas:

I. Ecological Agriculture:

• Principles and Practices of Ecological Agriculture:
  • Agroecology: Integrating ecological principles into agricultural systems.
  • Organic Farming: Methods, certification, and market trends.
  • Biodynamic Agriculture: Holistic and spiritual approach to farming.
  • Conservation Agriculture: Minimizing soil disturbance, maintaining permanent soil cover, and crop rotation.
  • No-Till Farming: Benefits for soil health and carbon sequestration.
  • Integrated Farming Systems: Combining crops, livestock, aquaculture, etc.
  • Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into farming landscapes.
  • Permaculture: Designing sustainable human settlements and agricultural systems.
  • Urban Agriculture: Ecological food production in urban environments.
• Soil Health and Fertility:
  • Soil biodiversity and its role in nutrient cycling.
  • Composting and vermicomposting for soil enrichment.
  • Cover cropping and green manure for soil improvement.
  • Reduced tillage and its impact on soil structure.
  • Mycorrhizal fungi and plant nutrient uptake.
  • Organic soil amendments and fertilizers.
  • Soil erosion control and management.
• Ecological Pest and Disease Management:
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
  • Biological control of pests and diseases.
  • Use of beneficial insects and microorganisms.
  • Resistant crop varieties and their role.
  • Natural pesticides and biopesticides.
  • Weed management without synthetic herbicides.
  • The role of biodiversity in pest and disease regulation.
• Water Management in Ecological Agriculture:
  • Water conservation techniques (e.g., rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation).
  • Water quality protection in agricultural landscapes.
  • Efficient irrigation practices for organic systems.
  • The role of soil health in water retention.
  • Wastewater treatment and reuse in agriculture (safely managed).
• Livestock and Ecological Agriculture:
  • Pasture-based livestock systems and their benefits.
  • Animal welfare in ecological farming.
  • Rotational grazing and its impact on land health.
  • Manure management for soil fertility and reduced emissions.
  • Integration of livestock and crop production for nutrient cycling.
  • Breeds adapted to ecological farming systems.
• Climate Change and Ecological Agriculture:
  • Ecological farming practices for climate change mitigation (e.g., carbon sequestration).
  • Adaptation strategies to the impacts of climate change (e.g., drought-resistant crops).
  • The role of biodiversity in building resilient agricultural systems.
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
  • Carbon farming and payment for ecosystem services.

II. Biodiversity:

• The Importance of Biodiversity in Agriculture:
  • Ecosystem services provided by biodiversity (pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, water purification).
  • The role of genetic diversity in crop and livestock resilience.
  • Wild relatives of crops and their potential for breeding.
  • The importance of pollinators and their conservation.
  • Soil biodiversity and its contribution to soil health.
  • Agrobiodiversity for food security and nutrition.
• Biodiversity Conservation in Agricultural Landscapes:
  • Creating and managing habitats for wildlife on farms (e.g., hedgerows, buffer strips, wildflower meadows).
  • Agroforestry systems and their role in biodiversity conservation.
  • Conservation tillage and its impact on soil organisms.
  • The role of organic farming in promoting biodiversity.
  • In-situ and ex-situ conservation of agricultural genetic resources.
  • Connecting agricultural landscapes for wildlife movement.
• Impacts of Conventional Agriculture on Biodiversity:
  • Habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion.
  • The effects of pesticides and herbicides on non-target organisms.
  • Monoculture and its impact on species diversity.
  • The role of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on biodiversity (various perspectives).
  • Water pollution from agricultural runoff and its effects on aquatic biodiversity.
• Valuing Biodiversity in Agriculture:
  • Economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by biodiversity.
  • Payment for ecosystem services (PES) schemes in agriculture.
  • The role of biodiversity in sustainable food systems.
  • Market opportunities for biodiversity-friendly agricultural products.
• Policy and Governance for Agrobiodiversity Conservation:
  • National and international policies related to agrobiodiversity.
  • The role of seed banks and genetic resource conservation programs.
  • Farmers' rights and access to genetic resources.
  • Integrating biodiversity conservation into agricultural extension services.
  • Public awareness and education on the importance of agrobiodiversity.

III. Waste Management:

• Sources and Types of Agricultural Waste:
  • Crop residues (straw, stalks, leaves, etc.).
  • Animal manure and bedding.
  • Food processing by-products.
  • Agrochemical containers and packaging.
  • Plastic films and other agricultural plastics.
  • Wastewater from agricultural activities.
  • Slaughterhouse waste.
• Sustainable Agricultural Waste Management Practices:
  • Waste reduction and prevention strategies on farms.
  • Composting and vermicomposting of organic waste.
  • Anaerobic digestion for biogas production and digestate fertilizer.
  • Biochar production from agricultural biomass.
  • Using crop residues for animal feed or bedding.
  • Mulching with organic agricultural waste.
  • Recycling of agricultural plastics and other materials.
  • Innovative uses for agricultural waste (e.g., bio-based materials).
• Environmental Impacts of Improper Agricultural Waste Management:
  • Water pollution from manure runoff and agrochemicals.
  • Air pollution from burning agricultural waste.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions from manure storage and decomposition.
  • Soil contamination from improper disposal of hazardous waste.
  • Impacts on biodiversity from waste contamination.
• Policies and Regulations for Agricultural Waste Management:
  • National and regional regulations on agricultural waste disposal.
  • Best management practices for minimizing environmental impact.
  • Incentives and support for sustainable waste management technologies.
  • The role of circular economy principles in agricultural waste management.
• Technological Innovations in Agricultural Waste Management:
  • Advanced composting and anaerobic digestion technologies.
  • Biomass gasification and pyrolysis for energy and bio-product recovery.
  • Sensors and monitoring systems for waste management processes.
  • Mobile processing units for on-farm waste treatment.
  • Development of biodegradable agricultural plastics.
  • Using artificial intelligence for optimizing waste management.

IV. Interconnections and Synergies:

• The role of biodiversity in enhancing ecological agriculture.
• How ecological agriculture minimizes waste generation.
• Using agricultural waste to improve soil health and biodiversity.
• Policy frameworks that integrate ecological agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and waste management.
• Case studies of successful integrated systems.
• The economic benefits of adopting holistic approaches.
• The social and ethical dimensions of sustainable agriculture.