Call for abstracts: Regional symposium on research into smallholder pig production, health, and pork safety

The smallholder pig industry plays an important role in many countries of South and Southeast Asia though the development of the pig sector differs between countries. Consequently, the research focus also differs between countries. In Timor-Leste, for example, the key research objective is to develop practical husbandry practices to improve pig nutrition and other basic needs, whereas in Vietnam the pig sector is much more developed and research to produce safer pork for the market is dominant.

To address the issue, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the University of Queensland, Australia supported by Launch Funding from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) are organizing a regional symposium on research into smallholder pig production, health, and pork safety. The symposium will be held in Vietnam from 27-29 March 2019. The symposium aims to:

• Share experiences and challenges in research on smallholder pig health, production and pork safety;
• Discuss and explore gender aspects in pig and pork production;
• Facilitate inter-country and intra-country networks on pig research including the South-South exchange;

Key facts and dates

The symposium is an interdisciplinary event for academics, practitioners, students and those in the private sector interested in the field of smallholder/small-scale pig health, production and food safety.  The overall aim is to present and discuss research on improving the targeted pig sector through proven concepts that are sustainable and use holistic approaches. We expect participants from South and Southeast Asia. In addition, under South-South exchange we expect to have selected participants from ILRI-related pig research projects in Kenya and/or Uganda and partners from the Pacific.

We invite authors to submit abstracts on the following topics: 

1. Pig nutrition/husbandry;
2. Pig health and improved diagnostics;
3. Zoonoses and food safety including antimicrobial resistance (AMR);
4. Social science, gender and equity in the pig value chain;
5. Developing a sustainable, affordable, welfare-friendly and safe smallholder pig value chain;
6. Interventions, successes and challenges on the above topics;

Presentation options

• Oral presentations
• Posters
• Panels

Abstract proposal format (in English)

• Name and number of themes;
• Presentation title (be catchy, clear and concise);
• Corresponding author (name, affiliation, country, email address);
• Other author(s) (name, affiliation, country);
• Outline (max 500 words), with introduction (including objectives), materials & methods, results, discussion and/or conclusions;
• Please use attached template

Submission

All abstracts must be emailed as a Word attachment to Thanh Nguyen, ILRI Hanoi, t.l.nguyen@cgiar.org by 12pm Monday, 21 January 2019 (ICT). Late submissions will not be accepted.

Notification of Acceptance

Notifications of acceptance/rejection will be emailed to the submitting author by Monday, 28 January 2019 (ICT). Accepted abstracts will be published in the symposium proceedings and will be included in the program.

Registration fees

The registration fee for participants of the symposium (2 days) and field trip (1 day) is 130 USD and includes:

• Admission to all sessions;
• Admission to the exhibition and poster area;
• Lunches and coffee breaks;
• Program book;
• Digital proceedings;
• Travel in van/car from hotel to field sites and meals; 

Scholarships

A number of scholarships supported by ACIAR Launch Funding are available for researchers and practitioners. Each scholarship will cover:

• Return airfares to Hanoi that are booked through ILRI Hanoi, economy class;
• Airport transfer to and from the symposium; transfer from hotel to symposium event or field visit sites;
• Symposium registration and meals;
• Accommodation (3- 4 nights based on flight bookings);

Recipients will be required to present a paper, poster or be a panel member. 

Eligibility criteria for scholarships

International researchers/practitioners

• Live and work in a low or middle income country as defined by DFAT (listed here);
• Have limited or no access to travel funding;
• Be employed at a university, agricultural research institute, NGO, government department or agricultural agency;
• Affiliation to an ACIAR-funded project is preferred;
• Be eligible to obtain a Vietnam visa and able to travel to Vietnam.

For inquiries, please email Thanh Nguyen, ILRI Hanoi, t.l.nguyen@cgiar.org

Applicants for scholarships should provide

• A one-page ‘Regional pig symposium, Hanoi’ scholarship submission that addresses the above eligibility criteria and states how participating in this symposium will contribute to your research/practice/carrier;
• A brief CV (1 page) /resume outlining your education and research background, work experience and community involvement;
• A copy of your submitted paper, panel or poster abstract.

Scholarship applications should be emailed to Thanh Nguyen, ILRI Hanoi, t.l.nguyen@cgiar.org no later than 12pm Monday, 21 January 2019 (ICT). Late submissions will not be accepted.

All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their scholarship submission by Monday, 28 January 2019 (ICT).

Download the full submission guideline (pdf) and the abstract template

Download the Symposium flyer