Growing uncertainty over the status of poverty, hunger, food security and environment has led the world strive to seek solutions. As the population expands rapidly on our globe, ways to upgrade our quality of life is the most important mission for the agricultural and biosystems engineers. In 2000, 189 nations made the declaration of the eighth Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to be achieved by 2015. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, and ensuring environmental sustainability are the two main targets in the MDG. Agricultural modernization is one of the crucial solutions to resolve the difficulties, and agricultural and biosystems engineering is its foundation. As 2015 approaches, the need for accelerating progress and exchanging achievements towards these goals among engineers and scientists in the world is evident.
 
We hereby have the honor to organize the 18th World Congress of the International Commission of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering (CIGR) from September 16th to 19th, 2014 in Beijing, China. Under the energetic guide of the General Assembly of CIGR, this Congress will remain faithful to the pattern established in past CIGR World Congresses, while incorporating innovative new elements to promote exchange and collaboration among agricultural engineers, and to offer a unique opportunity to present the results of research and to discuss important issues from a global perspective.
 
For global agricultural engineering scientists, engineers and other professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of the field and learn about the most up-to-date advancements and discoveries, the 18th World Congress of CIGR cannot be missed. We are also planning special social and tour programs that will give participants a wonderful taste of our unique Chinese culture to entertain you and your family during and after the Congress. With tremendous support from CIGR, the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery (CSAM), the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering (CSAE), and many local, regional and international associations, the Organizing Committee will deliver the most dynamic and invigorating Congress to all of you.
 
The preparation has started smoothly and the Organizing Committee hereby is pleased to invite you and your association to join with us as much as you can. It is our sincerest hope that, the 18th World Congress of CIGR in Beijing will bring all of us together to share in the common goal of advancing and developing the field of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, and to provide a discussion forum on how to promote scientific and technological innovations  in agricultural engineering into the new millennium.

 General Topics
 
1) Land and Water

·  Irrigation and Drainage Modeling
·  Soil Sustainability
·  Soil Conservation and Improvement
·  Environmental Criteria for Land Use and Other Environmental Considerations
·  Salinity, Water Treatment and Reuse and Contamination Control
·  Wind Erosion, Water Erosion, Environmental Protection
·  Water Saving and Productivity
·  Water Management
·  Landscapes and Ecosystem

2) Structures and Environment

·  Livestock Structures and Material Handling Equipment
·  Precision Livestock Farming
·  Livestock Environment and Waste Treatment – Water Quality, Air Quality, Odor Control
3) Plant Production

·  Strategy and Development of Agricultural Mechanization
·  Innovation Technologies for Agricultural Equipment
·  Tractors
·  Harvesting Technology
·  Fertilizing and Plant Protection
·  R & D for Farm Machinery and Equipment
·  Tillage and Seeding
·  Automation Technology
·  Environmental Impact

4) Energy in Agriculture

·  Bioenergy Resources
·  Biomass Handling and Processing
·  Energy Efficiency
·  Biogas
·  Biomass Emissions and Other Environmental Considerations
·  Liquid Biofuels - Biodiesel

5) System Management

·  Farm Management Planning and Calculation
·  Safety and Ergonomics
·  System Engineering

6) Bioprocesses

·  Image Processing
·  Postharvesting Technology
·  Environmental Impact
·  Sensors for Quality Assessment Control
·  Food Packaging and Storage
·  Separation Process
·  Drying and Dehydration of Agro-products
·  Food Quality
·  Mathematical Modeling and Simulation for Food Processing
·  Physical Properties of Agricultural Products
·  Thermal Processing, Chilling and Freezing
·  Biotechnology
7) Information Technology
·  ICT for Agriculture
·  Crop Sensing
·  Soil Sensing
·  Weed Control
·  KIS/DSS
·  Data Acquisition and Management
·  Field Robots
·  Yield Sensing