AFBI Researcher guest speaker at Falkland’s agricultural event

Professor Jim McAdam, Head of Crops, Grassland and Ecology Branch at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), was the guest speaker at the annual “Farmer’s Week” event in the Falkland Islands in July run by the Rural Business Association. Jim was invited to speak on “Climate Change and Agriculture, Potential impacts and Adaptations” and did so via videolink.

This was the first time the Falkland Islands have ever had a guest speaker give a presentation remotely and this presented a major technical challenge to the island’s limited broadband bandwidth. Jim gave his 1-hour presentation from AFBI Newforge in Belfast using Skype to his audience which was gathered in the Town Hall in Stanley.

Uniquely, the Governor of the Falklands approved a directive that all non-essential internet usage to and from the islands be stopped for the hour of the presentation to facilitate Jim’s talk! All went well, Jim gave his presentation, was able to field questions from the audience who he could see on a small screen insert and they could see him on a separate screen set up in the Town Hall.  A first for AFBI and the Falklands!

The “Farmers Week” event is a long-standing annual mid-winter event which takes place in the Falklands when all the farmers come into town and visit government departments to be updated on developments, get technical presentations and to meet socially. 

Notes to editors: 

Photo caption: Prof Jim McAdam prepares for the lecture in a "Skype kiosk" at AFBI Newforge

AFBI carries out high-quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland … serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office

Share this page