Sweetpotato was well represented at the 18^th Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops meeting held at CIAT in Cali, Colombia, the 22^nd through 25^th October 2018.  Over 165 participants from 30 countries made 70 oral presentations and presented 170 scientific posters.  Participants got an opportunity to visit laboratories and field trials of CIAT’s cassava program. 

Most fun of all were culinary demonstrations.  CIP gender specialist Nozomi Kawarazuka and the head of the Roots, Tubers and Bananas CRP, Graham Thiele teamed up to demonstrate sweetpotato snacks and 6 different Japanese liquor products made from sweetpotato.  Nozomi also had the best oral presentation at the meeting—in fact, participants broke out in applause during the presentation. 

Long time ISTRC council member Dr. Lateef Sanni, professor at the University of Agriculture at Abeokuta in Nigeria, was elected ISTRC president, taking over the mantel from Dr. Keith Tomlins, who ably served the society for two terms.  We are looking forward to the next Triennial meeting being held in Uganda in 2021!