Policy Dialogue/Series/Special Event
Against the grain: Could farmers feed the world and heal the planet?
Co-organized by IFPRI and The CGIAR Initiative on Nature-Positive Solutions
Virtual Event
August 27, 2024

Humanity relies on agriculture to provide nourishment, yet there is an urgent need to reduce the agricultural sector’s environmental footprint. Meeting these two goals is crucial for both people and the planet to thrive. Please join us for a conversation featuring Roger Thurow, award-winning author and journalist, whose recently released book argues it is possible for farmers to meet these two critical objectives. 

This seminar will discuss the importance of heeding the wisdom and experiences of the world’s smallholder, Indigenous, and family farmers, who are facing the effects of climate change and environmental degradation firsthand as they endeavor to earn a living and feed their families and communities. Perspectives from farmers will highlight how the practices of agroforestry, agroecology, and regenerative agriculture can provide food to nourish humanity while also protecting the environment. The seminar will also discuss how science and research, including the work of CGIAR, and investment and financing has contributed to enhancing the work of these farmers and transforming food systems for people and the planet.

Welcome Remarks

Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI
Speakers

Roger Thurow, Award-winning author and journalist; Former Senior Fellow, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Jackson Kinyanjui Koimbori, Senior Circular Economy and Climate Change Coordinator, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)
Wei Zhang, Senior Research Fellow, Natural Resources and Resilience Unit, IFPRI; Co-lead of the CGIAR Research Initiative on Low-Emission Food Systems (Mitigate+)
Evalyne Okoth, Farmer, The CGIAR Initiative on Nature-Positive Solutions, Nyando, Kenya
Jonathan Mockshell, Senior Agricultural Economist, Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT
Closing Remarks

Carlo Fadda, Director, Agrobiodiversity, Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture, Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT; Lead, Nature-Positive Solutions Research Initiative
Moderator

Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI

Links:
Purchase  the book:https://www.amazon.com/Against-Grain-Farmers-Transforming-Agriculture/dp/1572843403

More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/against-the-grain-could-farmers-feed-the-world-and-heal-the-planet/

Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

Against the grain: Could farmers feed the world and heal the planet?

Agronomy and Policy Solutions for Effective Implementation of the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan
Co-organized by IFPRI, CGIAR, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI)
September 10, 2024


CGIAR is pleased to support our regional and national partners in their implementation of the action plan emerging from the May 2024 African Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Summit. As the seventh policy seminar in the CGIAR series on Strengthening Food Systems Resilience, this event will examine the outcomes of the AFSH Summit and consider how to achieve the goals of the 10-year AFSH Action Plan. Bringing together diverse set of speakers, it will provide a platform for expertise exchange, collaboration, and actionable progress in advancing soil health and agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Featured speakers from the research, policy, nongovernmental, and private sectors will highlight agronomy solutions and policy frameworks that can bolster stakeholder resilience. These experts will draw on the work of two CGIAR research initiatives, Excellence in Agronomy and National Policies and Strategies, to explore the potential of agronomy at scale solutions and present strategies for developing effective policy frameworks in support of soil health, balanced plant nutrition, and increased agricultural productivity and livelihoods. 

Opening Remarks
Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI
Antony Chapoto, Executive Director, Secretariat, Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI)

Outcome of the AFSH and Next Steps
Wole Fatunbi, Ag. Director of Research and Innovation, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
Oumou Camara, Vice President of Programs, International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
Bernard Vanlauwe, Deputy Director General, Research for Development, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Felicitas Röhrig, Senior Policy Officer, Division “Agriculture, rural development”, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Habiba Mouttaki, Chief Commercial Officer, Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Africa

Supporting Agronomic Solutions at Scale and Enabling Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Fertilizer Management and Soil Health 
Job Kihara, Agronomist, Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT; Excellence in Agronomy (EiA), CGIAR
John Olwande, Research Fellow, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development; National Policies and Strategies, CGIAR
Claudia Ringler, Director, Natural Resources and Resilience (NRR), IFPRI
Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
Madhur Gautam, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI

Discussion 
Richard Mkandawire, Africa Director, Alliance for African Partnership, Michigan State University (MSU); National Planning Commissioner, Malawi
Maria Wanzala, Vice President, Policy Services, African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP)

Moderator
Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI

Links:

More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/agronomy-and-policy-solutions-for-effective-implementation-of-the-african-fertilizer-and-soil-health-action-plan/

Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription

Agronomy and Policy Solutions for Effective Implementation of the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan

Agronomy & Policy Solutions for Implementing the African Fertilizer & Soil Health Action Plan

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. Established in 1975, IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 50 countries. It is a research center of CGIAR, a worldwide partnership engaged in agricultural research for development.

New tracks tagged #Mitigate+