UTAR
Centre for Biodiversity Research (CBR), Faculty of Science and Institute of
Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR) jointly organised a successful
Agriculture Technology Seminar titled “Emerging Pests and Pesticide
Resistance in Malaysia.”
This
10th series of the Agriculture and Technology seminar attracted
over 160 participants comprising researchers from local and abroad, staff,
students, industry consultants and sponsors to present and discuss their
expertise and research findings on topics ranging from plants to poultry.
The seminar was held at UTAR Perak Campus on 14 November 2014.
“I’m
proud that this seminar is held for the 10th time since its debut
in April 2010 and well received by sponsors such as KLK Berhad as well as
the participants,” remarked Advisor to the Organising Committee Assoc Prof
Dr Say Yee How, who also extended his warm welcome to the speakers as well
as participants.
Keynote speaker Dr Madonna C. Casimero from the International Rice Research
Institute of Myanmar Office started the ball rolling. Through her talk
titled “The Weedy Rice Saga: Battling with the Close Cousin of Rice”, Dr
Madonna highlighted the great damage brought by the proliferation of Padi
Angin, as it is known locally, to rice fields in Malaysia,
Thailand and even across the globe. “In 2005, economic loss due to weedy
rice was estimated to be 25 million USD per year in Malaysia,” she mentioned
and emphasised that until a good integrated weed management strategy is
developed, the battle to control this weedy rise would remain an uphill
battle.
Discussions related to papaya were also brought up by two following
speakers. Former Senior Research Fellow of Malaysian Agricultural and
Research Institute Dr Chan Ying Kwok presented his findings titled “Breeding
for Resistance against Bacteria Die Back (Erwinia
papayae) on Papaya in Malaysia.” This was followed by Organising
Chairman Prof Dr Ooi Aun Chuan’s presentation titled “An Exotic Insect Pest
of Papaya and Suggestion for Its Management” which reported the discovery of
the papaya mealybug, a native insect of Central and South America, in Kampar
in 2013.
Weed
Management Consultant Chung Gait Fee presented a paper on weeds of
plantations and their management in general, herbicide resistance, summary
of herbicide resistance in Malaysia and different approaches to handle
herbicide resistant biotypes in plantations. Co-owner-cum-Consultant of Vet.
Biotech Dr Chong Sung Fook was the following speaker who spoke about
“Antibiotic Resistance and Vaccination Failures in Poultry Farming”.
Veterinary Research Institute Research Officer Syamsyiah Aini Shohaimi with
her paper titled “Emerging and Re-emerging of Avian Diseases in Malaysia”
pointed out the viral poultry diseases such as Avian Influenza (AI) and
Newcastle Disease (ND) as highly contagious and can lead to huge economic
losses to poultry production.
Prof
Ooi summarized the presentations of the seminar and extended his gratitude
to sponsor KLK Berhad and Medigene Sdn Bhd for the support. “The purpose of
this seminar is to identify problems plaguing the agriculture industry and
to find solutions because we simply can’t dismiss the problems,” he said.
Dean
of Faculty of Science Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng gave a closing remark,
saying that seminar, being a success again is a concerted effort by the
organising committee. “We’ve gone a long way to continue the tradition of
holding this seminar which discusses many agriculture-related issues. In
fact, there are so many issues to discuss and explore that this seminar
should be continued,” said Dr Lim, who added that such continuous effort
would bear fruit as there will be more understanding about agriculture,
which is vital for the survival of the human race.
A
participant of the seminar, Amaran s/o Raman from Iris Agrotech Sdn Bhd said
that the seminar has enriched his knowledge in pest control as well as
learning about some solutions which could be useful to his work.
Dr Say
welcoming the speakers and participants
(Clockwise from top left) Dr Madonna, Dr Chan, Chung, Syamsiah, Dr Chong and
Prof Ooi
Dr Lim
presenting a token of appreciation to moderators Dr Tan Swee Lian (up) and
Assoc Prof Dr Tee Chong Siang
Dr Lim
receiving a token of appreciation from Prof Ooi
Group
photo of the speakers and participants
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