Sustainability & Innovation in Agritech & Biotech for Food Security

In view of the rapid growth in the ICT, Biotechnology and Agritech sectors over thenext decade as well as the relevance of sustainability ability to change, especially intoday’s world characterised by rapid unpredictable change and volatility, the theme“Sustainability & Innovation in Agritech & Biotech for Food Security” was chosen as thetheme for the Agritech & Biotech Investment Forum 2010 to be held on 30 March 2010 atthe Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The conference, the 2nd inthe series, is organised by the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI).Malaysian agricultural & biotechnology sector has been growing rapidly over the years.Production rate of the industry in Malaysia is considerably one of the largest amongst theAsia Region due to excellent natural conditions – level of humidity, tropical weather and richsoil. However, technology is slowly but steadily making a humble entry and inroad into theMalaysian farms.Concurrently, the initiative was taken by the Government to establish food security for Malaysiaand reduce over-dependence on food import. Government aspires to reduce Malaysia’sdependence on food import worth RM 28.0 billion in 2008 to about RM 14.0 billion annually.With the implementation of the new Food Policy by the Ministry of Agriculture & Agro-BasedIndustries, the nation should be able to show a food surplus by 2020. The Government hasalso allocated RM 6.0 billion for the sector in the 2010 Budget. Agritech and Biotech sectoris an important source of income for the people in rural areas and for the growth of thenation’s economy. As such a massive transformation is needed for the sector beginningfrom the planning level right up to marketing. With the support of small-scale and big-scalefarmers, livestock breeder, fishermen, large corporations, and the commitment given by thegovernment, it is not impossible to transform the sector to be a big success story throughlarge-scale and high-impact projects.Our main focus is to achieve a situation which would warrant calling our agricultural,biotechnology and food practices economically, socially and ecologicallysustainable. To reach the goals entails changes and adaptations at all levels –farming methods; consumption patterns; trade relations, production; storageand processing technologies; human rights and gender balance, tradition andvalues; education and sharing of knowledge; innovation and conservation andlifestyle patterns. Therefore, new technologies and advances in agri-tech andbiotech practices has come all the more importantWe are planning to bring together experts and leading players to unlocksecrets to developing unique capabilities that helped them to seize marketopportunities and transform their businesses into successful trailblazers.Role-players and delegates will be able to share the latest key and innovativetrends, unique value-creating strategies and unlimited opportunities. This forumwill create a plethora of networking opportunities, sharing of views, thoughts andideas on numerous topics for participants and role-players to capitalise on.WHO SHOULD ATTEND• Industrial Policy-Makers & Decision-Makers• Experts & Professional Consultants• Agritech & Biotech entrepreneurs• SME & Entrepreneurs in Agritech & Biotech sector• Funding agencies and companies• Consumers• Farm Owners• Service Providers• Equipment & Accessories Providers• Managing Directors• Chief Executive Officer• Senior & Middle Management in the Agri and Bio industries• Small and Medium-sized Companies• Supply Chain Directors / Distributors• High Performance individuals, investors and entrepreneurs• Top Government & Senior Officials• Trading Companies and Manufacturers• Regulators• Institutional and Investment Investors• Investment and Private Bankers• Private Equity Fund Managers• Professionals• Project Managers• Scientists• Engineers & Technicians• Corporate Financiers• Venture Capitalists• Academicians• Industry Analysts• Researchers• Relevant institutions and associations• Interested public – individuals and companiesinterested to seek knowledge• Companies & Organisations with Products &Services related to relevant industrial areas