International Symposium on Organic Farming and Production (ISOP)

3^rd to 6^th of November 2025 Can Tho University, Vietnam

The International Symposium on Organic Farming and Production (ISOP) will be held at Can Tho University in Vietnam from the 3^rd of November 13:00 to the 6^th of November 13:00. The Symposium will be organized by the OrganoRice project and addresses different disciplines dealing with organic farming. Contributions to the following topics are welcome.

Organic fertilization

In this session we seek contributions analyzing the effects of organic fertilization (e.g., animal manure, green manure, compost, and natural minerals) on soil fertility and crop/fruit growth. Studies on silicon fertilization to strengthen crop growth but also to reduce heavy metal uptake by plants are also welcome. In this session, studies analyzing potential (organic and inorganic) contaminants of the fertilizers used are also encouraged to submit abstracts.

Organic pest control

This session welcomes contributions to organic pest control and its effects on pathogens, insects, and weed reduction. Studies on the effects on crop/fruit yields and quality can be submitted. Effects of organic pest control on the biodiversity should be submitted to session Biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Irrigation and pollution

In this session we seek contributions to irrigation optimization and soil/water pollution, whereby contributions of inorganic (e.g., heavy metals) but also organic (conventional pesticides, PAHs, PFAS, dioxins, microplastics) pollutants are encouraged to submit abstracts. Additionally, optimizing irrigation practices to reduce pollution risks but also for optimal pest management are welcome.

Variety testing

In this session contributions to variety testing are welcome. This includes testing for optimal yields and quality but also for testing traits with resistance to pathogens.

Marketing of organic products

Organic agricultural products are premium sold at significantly higher cost. So the challenge for marketing is twofold: how to reach more consumers capable to afford the higher price, and how to decrease the cost to enlarge the consumer base. Contributions covering both topics are welcome.

Certification process and traceability of the market chain

Certification of the organic production is a crucial step for farmers but also traders. For the certification itself a seamless documentation is needed which can also be used for traceability of the market chain, whereby traceability will include all steps of the product from the farm to the end-consumer. Any contributions to this topic are welcome.

Policies encouraging organic farming

There is a high number void and different support policies in place, but two difficulties stand out: first, the period of support to farmers is often not long enough to cover the risks of transition to organic, and second, the capacities in advising and teaching farmers (e.g. by extension workers) are often insufficient. Finally, the lack of transition programs for poor soil locations is a missed opportunity. Therefore, this session welcomes contribution covering these topics.

Stakeholder involvement

For some farmers, the economic performance is the decisive argument, while others attribute a high value to the health and environmental benefits of organic farming. Insurance models, not yet existing, could help winning the first camp over to the second. Authorities should seek direct communication with farmers, not only through representatives, although this may require additional personnel. Any contributions to this topic are welcome.

Economy of organic production

Economic benefits arise from higher farm gate sales price (which must be guaranteed for the planning period) and from savings by using organic inputs. Domestic production of certified inputs should be a priority, otherwise sustainable production will remain at safe (chemical-free) farming without progressing to organic standards. Low emission production should be based on organic practices as well. Any contributions to this topic are welcome.

Biodiversity and ecosystem services

In this session we welcome contributions related to research on the environmental effects of organic farming methods, particularly those related to biodiversity and the delivery of various ecosystem services.

Skeleton Program

3^rd of November 13:00 to 17:00

Presentation of the OrganoRice Project – lessons learned
Welcome dinner

4^thof November 8:00 to 17:00

Scientific Sessions

5^thof November 8:00 to 17:00

Scientific Sessions
Gala dinner

6^thof November 8:00 to 13:00

Mekong river excursion

The symposium will allow oral and poster contributions. Oral presentations will be 15 minutes plus 5-minute discussion. Presentations can be either in English or Vietnamese as all presentations will be translated. If presentation is in Vietnamese, the slides should be in English or English and Vietnamese.

Submission deadline for oral and poster presentation will be 1^st of August 2025. For submission of abstracts please use this template. Abstracts should not exceed one page.

Registration for the venue will be opened 1^th of June and early bird registration will close 1^st of September. Onsite registration will also be feasible.

>>> ISOP 2025 Registration

Registration fees will include coffee and tea during breaks, lunch on all days, Welcome and Gala dinner. The Mekong river excursion will not be included in the registration fees.

Welcome dinner will be at Ninh Kieu Riverside and the Gala dinner at Lua Nep Restaurant The conference will be held at the Research Laboratory Complex (RLC) of Can Tho University located at the Campus II of Can Tho University.

Registration fees

For attendees from upper middle-income and high-income countries (refer to https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups or access to excel file https://d.docs.live.net/8eb0be4073a64b32/OrganoRIce/Symposium%20preparation/Checking%20list%20for%20Symposium/current%20classification%20by%20income%20.xlsx)

Participants	Early bird (until 15^st August)	Regular (after 15^st August)	Onsite (all days)	Onsite (one day)	Mekong River Excursion
Regular	$200	$230	$260	$136	$68
Student (PhDs, Master)	$150	$180	$220	$116	$58

For attendees from lower middle-income and low-income countries (refer to https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups or access to excel file https://d.docs.live.net/8eb0be4073a64b32/OrganoRIce/Symposium%20preparation/Checking%20list%20for%20Symposium/current%20classification%20by%20income%20.xlsx)

Participants	Early bird (until 15^st August)	Regular (after 15^st August)	Onsite (all days)	Onsite (one day)	Mekong River Excursion
Regular	$100	$130	$160	$70	$60
Student (PhDs, Master)	$75	$105	$135	$50	$50

Accommodation

Can Tho provides several accommodation possibilities ranging from first class hotels to cheaper family owned hotels or home stay. A selection of hotels can be found below.

Other hotels are available at booking.com or agoda apps (≤2 km from Can Tho University)

Arrival

Can Tho can be reached via plane to Can Tho Airport (Sân bay Quốc tế Cần Thơ, IATA-Code: VCA, ICAO-Code: VVCT), which is 10 km (20 minute) drive from the city or University. International flights are available to Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport IATA: SGN, ICAO: VVTS). Pickups from Ho Chi Minh City Airport can be arranged on request. Daily pickup from Hotels at Can Tho to the University will be organized.

Publication of presentations

All one page abstracts will be published in a book of abstracts. Abstracts for submission are limited to 1 page and should use the template provided. After acceptance an extended abstract can be also submitted (6 pages maximum), which will be also published online after the conference. The extended abstracts will be in English. Extended abstracts will be reviewed by the scientific committee and the same template as for the short abstract should be used. We also aim to launch a special issue in the open access journal SUSTAINABILITY for the topic and details will follow.

Organization committee

Jack O’Connor (United Nations University Bonn, Germany)
Lutz Weihermüller (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany)
Tom Anders (KIAG Bonn, Germany)
Chau Minh Khoi (Can Tho University)
Dang Duy Minh (Can Tho University)

Scientific committee

Arne Kappenberg (University Bonn)
Bei Wu (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany)
Björn Thiele (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany)
Gioia Emidi (United Nations University Bonn, Germany)
Linda Klamann Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany)
Nick Kupfer (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany)
Joachim Spangenberg (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and SERI, Germany)
Casten Montzka (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany)
Jurgen Ott (L.U.P.O., Germany)
Nguyen Thi Thu Nga (Can Tho University, Vietnam)
Huynh Ky (Can Tho University, Vietnam)
Khong Tien Dung (Can Tho University, Vietnam)
Vo Quoc Tuan (Can Tho Univerisity, Vietnam)
Le Nguyen Doan Khoi (Can Tho University, Vietnam)