Advances in Arachis through Genomics & Biotechnology:
An International Strategic Planning Workshop
Atlanta, Georgia, USA | October 24-26, 2007
WELCOME FROM THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
The Peanut Genome Initiative executive committee welcomes invited participants to Advances in Arachis through Genomics: An International Strategic Planning Workshop to be held October 24-26, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia. The workshop will follow the 2007 Multi-Crop Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Elimination & Fungal Genomics Conference which is also scheduled to be held at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center Hotel.
Advances in Arachis through Genomics is a committed step toward bringing together the elite members of the international peanut community to collaborate on high priority issues. The foundation for this effort was established in November 2006 in Guangzhou, China, at the International Conference on Aflatoxin Management and Genomics. At this conference, delegates from nine nations voted to explore opportunities for cooperative research and to take steps toward achieving that goal at a subsequent conference in Atlanta. The intent now is to build a framework for the integration of research in crop production, product quality, disease and pest management, genetics and germplasm enhancement, genomics, and biotechnology to facilitate timely solutions to stakeholder and customer concerns.
Breakout session facilitators will employ an interactive process to produce an International Strategic Plan for Peanut Research. This plan will define relevant goals and objectives for what needs to be done, establish research priorities for what will be done by international workgroups, and set timelines for delivery of products and technologies that will help remedy acute problems and concerns of the peanut industry. Implementation of the plan will allow more efficient and effective use of limited resources for peanut research to enhance productivity, gain protection against diseases and pests, and improve product quality and safety. In addition, collaboration on an international scale will enable the peanut community to compete more successfully for grants and other research funding.
We have invited over 100 participants to help develop this plan. The workgroups will capture and meld the input of outstanding scientists from China, India, South America, Australia, Africa and the United States. In addition, we are encouraging interagency representatives and stakeholders with interests in the production, processing and manufacture of peanuts and peanut products to support this workshop.
As we strive to uphold the tradition of research excellence that was established at the inaugural conference in Guangzhou, we look forward to setting a future course for international peanut research.
H.T. (TOM) STALKER
General Program Chair
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