Enhancement of postgraduate studies on sustainable agriculture and future farming systems

Block seminars on module 2 «Crop and Livestock Systems under Climate Change»

Block seminars on module 2 «Crop and Livestock Systems under Climate Change» Block seminars on module 2 «Crop and Livestock Systems under Climate Change»

The First Block Workshop on Module 2 "Crop and Livestock Production Systems under Climate Change" within the international project No 610383-EPP-1-2019-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP (2019-2086) "Enhancement of postgraduate studies on sustainable agriculture and future farming systems (SAGRIS)" took place on 20-24 September 2021. The event was organised by the V.R. Filippov Buryat State Agricultural Academy named after V.R. Filippov (Russia) and the A. Baitursynov Kostanay Regional University (Kazakhstan).

Also, from 6 to 10 June 2022, the Second Block Seminar on Module 2 was held at the A. Baitursynov KRU. The block seminar was held in a hybrid format: partner HEIs from Kazakhstan (KazNARU in Almaty, KATU named after S. Seifullin in Nursultan, WKATU named after Zhangir-Khan in Uralsk) participated in the block seminar in person, while partner HEIs from the EU joined online.

The event programmes were tightly scheduled and included:

- excursions to progressive agricultural enterprises in the region: LLC Zhemchug, Sayansky Maral Farm;

- open discussions 'Climate Change Challenges', Assessment of Natural Resources in a Changing Climate

- Discussion of scientific articles and popular science films (group discussion): "Agriculture's Contribution to Climate Change and Role in Mitigation Is Distinct from Predominantly Fossil CO2-Emitting Sectors";

- presentations by lecturers and young scientists on the topics of the block seminars;

- active work of postgraduate and doctoral students on cases.

In Kazakhstan, according to the seminar programme, the following activities were organized for the participants:

- excursion to the advanced laboratories of A. Baitursynov KRU;

- visiting of farm "Sadovod" with participation of farm manager Victor Simanenko;

- lectures from European colleagues on the subject of crop production in a changing climate;

- a practical session on food waste (PhD, Gulnara Yunusova).

The events resulted in a stakeholder roundtable on the future of agriculture in a changing climate. Stakeholders in livestock, crop production and ecology showed great interest in the topical issues discussed. Director of "Alexandrovskoye" LLP Andrey Dvurechensky, "North Kazakhstan Research Institute of Agriculture" LLP Daniyar Zhantleuov, general director of dairy farm "OHMK" Farida Abitaeva, representatives of "Olja Agro" Ruslan Garaykhanov and "Agrogenetics" LLP Zhadyr Baidildinov noted high importance of timely addressing of adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts on food systems and agricultural development.

Block seminars were fruitful, informative and interesting, in an atmosphere of friendliness and positivity. The participants noted the high level of organization of the block-seminars.

At the end of the block-seminars, all participants were awarded certificates of advanced training in the amount of 72 hours.

Programme