🌱PheNo at IPPS9: Connecting Global Plant Phenotyping Communities in Accra 🌍

📍 Accra, Ghana | 12-16 October 2026

PheNo – The Norwegian Plant Phenotyping Infrastructure was represented at the 9th International Plant Phenotyping Symposium (IPPS9) in Accra, Ghana, by Sahameh Shafiee and Morten Lillemo from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

Under the theme “Phenotyping for All: Bridging the Gap in Global Agriculture,” IPPS9 brought together researchers, breeders, technology developers, infrastructure representatives, and industry partners from across the world to discuss the latest developments in plant phenotyping and its role in addressing global agricultural challenges.

As the first IPPS symposium to be hosted on the African continent, the event provided a unique platform for sharing knowledge across diverse agricultural systems and environments. Participants explored innovations in data-driven agriculture, sensing technologies, artificial intelligence, breeding, and phenotyping methodologies, while discussing how these advances can contribute to more resilient and sustainable food production.

For PheNo, the symposium was an important opportunity to strengthen existing collaborations and build new connections within the international plant phenotyping community. Through discussions with colleagues from research infrastructures, universities, breeding organizations, and industry, the event highlighted the value of global cooperation in accelerating innovation and ensuring wider access to phenotyping technologies and expertise.

A Milestone for PheNo in the International Community

An especially significant outcome of the week came after the symposium, during the General Assembly of the International Plant Phenotyping Network (IPPN), held in Ghana. For the first time, PheNo was formally recognized as a member of the IPPN community and represented in the General Assembly.

This recognition marks an important milestone for the Norwegian phenotyping infrastructure and reflects the growing role of PheNo within the international plant phenotyping landscape. Membership in the IPPN strengthens PheNo’s connection to a global network of researchers, infrastructures, and organizations working to advance plant phenotyping and support agricultural innovation worldwide.

As an active participant in both Nordic and European initiatives, including EMPHASIS, PheNo is committed to fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and contributing to the development of interoperable phenotyping services and research infrastructures.

Science, Collaboration and New Opportunities

Beyond the scientific programme, IPPS9 demonstrated once again that progress in research is built not only through technology and data, but also through people. The symposium offered valuable opportunities to reconnect with long-standing collaborators, establish new partnerships, and exchange ideas that may grow into future projects and initiatives.

PheNo thanks the organizers, participants, and hosts in Ghana for an inspiring week and looks forward to building on the new connections, discussions, and opportunities that emerged during IPPS9 and the subsequent IPPN meetings.