14 October 2026 | Webinar organised by the The Society for Underutilized Legumes (SUL).
Dr Juliana Cheboi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and Vice-Chair of the Kenya Plant Breeders Association (KPBA), was the featured speaker in the session “Bridging the Gap Through Community Engagements and Outreach Services: Underutilized Legumes Researchers on Call.”
The session addressed the important challenge of bridging the gap between agricultural research and farming communities, with particular attention to underutilized legumes. These crops offer considerable potential for improving nutrition, soil fertility, biodiversity and climate resilience, yet often receive insufficient attention from agricultural research, extension services and markets.
Community engagement and researcher-led outreach can help translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions, strengthen farmer–researcher collaboration and support the conservation, cultivation and wider use of these valuable crops.
Related:
14 African partner universities across 9 countries, together with global research and academic partners — including ICRISAT, IFPRI, University of Southampton, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and others — have developed a 7 free, open-source course blocks on Neglected and Underutilised Species (NUS), spanning agronomy to nutrition, markets, climate and policy.
The courses are now under pilot from 5 to 31 October 2026 — and you are welcome to take part.
1 October 2026. AgrEcoNUS+ Officially Launched: Scaling Up Neglected and Underutilized Species More than 110 participants from over 14 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia gathered online to celebrate the international launch of AgrEcoNUS+, a programme that aims at making Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), a driver of agroecological transition across Africa.
More than 110 participants from over 14 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia gathered online to celebrate the international launch of AgrEcoNUS+, a programme that aims at making Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), a driver of agroecological transition across Africa.
AgrEcoNUS+, Enhancing value chains and markets of Neglected and Underutilized crop Species to contribute to Agroecological transition in Africa, is a 4-years-programme funded by the European Union and implemented through a consortium led by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), SWISSAID, and CIHEAM Bari. The programme operates in nine countries: Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. It aims at strengthening production, value chains and markets for NUS, supporting farmer-managed seed systems, and promoting agroecological practices to contribute to more resilient, sustainable, and sovereign food systems.
The international launch of the programme brought together key speakers from the European Commission; the Director of AICS; the Director of the Production, Markets and Infrastructure Division from IFAD, from the Swiss Agency for Developpment and Cooperation, as well as from AFSA (the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa) and CORAF (Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Recherche et le Développement Agricoles), to discuss the growing role of NUS and agroecology in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, malnutrition, and market shocks. Contributions from speakers highlighted the importance of placing locally adapted crops, farmer knowledge, and inclusive food systems at the centre of Africa’s agricultural transformation.
Related:
Neglected and underutilised species (NUS)—resilient, nutrient-dense, and culturally significant crops—are fast emerging as opportunity crops. They withstand climate shocks, require minimal inputs, enrich local diets, and create viable revenue streams for smallholder farmers, especially women and youth.
To unlock their potential, the European Union and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) have launched a €2.7 million call for proposals under the AgrEcoNUS+/LEAP initiative.
Over 36 months, the selected consortium will drive value chain development by:
Supporting at least 60 cooperatives, producer groups, and small businesses (30+ per country)
Building capacity in business management, technical skills, and entrepreneurship
Providing tailored financial assistance (up to €60,000 per organization)
Expanding market access through 10+ strategic partnerships, awareness campaigns, and regional food fairs
This initiative builds on frameworks like SUSTLIVES, CROPS4HD, and ORPH-CROP, with international actors including CIHEAM Bari, SWISSAID, and the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT.
Who Should Apply?
Lead Applicant: NGOs with 7+ years’ experience in agriculture/rural development and proven financial management capacity (~€1M annually)
Consortium Requirements: Must include local co-applicants in both Ghana & Côte d'Ivoire. Cooperatives, farmer organizations, BDS providers, financial institutions, and local NGOs are encouraged to join.
Guidelines & annexes: Enhancing value chains and markets of Neglected and Underutilized crop Species to contribute to Agroecological transition in Africa - AgrEcoNUS+ Guidelines for grant applicants (42 p.)
14–15 October 2026. The Collectif Stratégies Alimentaires (CSA), the Fédération Wallonne de l'Agriculture–Union des Agricultrices Wallonnes (FWA-UAW), and AgriCord are organising an international workshop and field visits in Belgium under the theme "Farmers' Organisation-led Bio-inputs Systems."
Bringing together farmers' organisations from
Africa, Europe and the Pacific, researchers, bio-input companies, policymakers and development partners, the event explores how farmer-led initiatives can develop into credible, accessible and economically sustainable bio-input systems. The programme combines practical visits to bio-input production and research facilities in Wallonia on 14 October with policy discussions, institutional perspectives and collaborative workshops in Brussels on 15 October.
Bio-inputs—including biofungicides, bioinsecticides, bioherbicides, biostimulants and compost—offer opportunities to restore soil fertility, improve crop health, reduce dependence on synthetic inputs and strengthen farmers' autonomy. However, their wider adoption requires reliable scientific evidence, appropriate regulatory frameworks, quality assurance, affordable production systems and effective agricultural advisory services.
Farmers' organisations can play a central role by connecting experimentation and innovation with production, market development, farmer training and policy dialogue.
14 October – Field visits in Wallonia: From local production to research and innovation
Walhain and Gembloux. The first day, entitled "Bio-inputs: A Solution Gaining Momentum?", provides participants with practical examples of how farmers, researchers and enterprises are developing biological alternatives to conventional agricultural inputs.
Visit to La Biofabrique, Walhain:
Participants visit a cooperative of Walloon farmers producing bio-inputs locally. The initiative illustrates how collective production can make biological alternatives more accessible, respond to local farming conditions and strengthen farmers' autonomy.
Meeting at Fédération Wallonne de l'Agriculture – Union des Agricultrices Wallonnes, (FWA-UAW), Gembloux
Presentations introduce four complementary initiatives:
Agricells: microbial technologies and innovative biological products.
Regenacterre: farmer–agronomist collaboration on regenerative agriculture.
CRA-W: the Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, supporting agricultural research and innovation.
Bioferm'Tech: a French enterprise developing on-farm bio-input production systems, including its On-Farm™ model for farm use and commercialisation.
Visit to TERRA Research Centre
Professor Philippe Jacques, Director of TERRA, introduces the interdisciplinary research and teaching centre working across biotechnology, agriculture, agrifood systems, environment and forestry. The visit highlights the role of scientific research in developing and validating bio-input innovations.
Introduction to AgriBioTech Park
Participants discover the concept of a scientific business park under development in Gembloux, intended to support innovative enterprises from the start-up phase through to commercialisation of bio-inputs.
15 October – International Workshop in Brussels
Farmers' organisations driving bio-input adoption: Challenges and keys to success
The opening session shares practical
experiences from farmer-led initiatives across Africa and Europe, examining production, adoption, collective organisation and lessons for scaling.
Annick Sezibera — CAPAD, Burundi
Innocent Nsengimana K. — APDIK, Democratic Republic of the Congo
David Verstraete — Greenotec/Biofabrique, Belgium
Peter Fröhlich — Farmer; AgriPurpose, AgriCircle and European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture, Switzerland
State of the art, opportunities and challenges
Dr Frédéric Goulet — Sociologist and Senior Researcher, Environment & Society Department, CIRAD, France This presentation examines the scientific, technological and institutional opportunities and challenges associated with the development of bio-input systems.
Panel 1: Building an enabling environment for bio-input systems
The panel explores how regulation, standards, quality control, agricultural advisory systems and market conditions can strengthen the credibility and accessibility of bio-inputs.
Olivier Guelton — Head of Unit, Authorisations of Plant Protection Products, Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment
Representatives — Public Health and Safety Authorities, Burundi
Pieter Jan Debauw — COLEAD
Dr Toralf Richter — Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)
Panel 2: Institutional perspectives on scaling bio-input systems
This discussion brings together European and international development institutions to consider public investment, agricultural transformation, institutional partnerships and opportunities for scaling.
Christophe Larose — Head of Sector, Sustainable Agriculture, DG INTPA, European Commission
Representative — DG AGRI, European Commission
Ivan Cucco — Senior Agricultural and Food Systems Economist and Technical Expert, GP-SAEP, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Dr Jean Jacques M. Muhinda — Director General, East Africa, AGRA
15 October 2026. Food and Nature Forum: Turning Science into Action for Food Systems
The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT organise the Food & Nature Forum: Turning Science into Action for Food Systems Transformation at Maison de la Poste, Tour & Taxis, Brussels, as part of Brussels Climate Week 2026 (12–16 October).
The Forum brings together researchers, European policymakers, development organisations, investors, private-sector actors and innovation partners to explore how scientific knowledge can be translated into practical solutions for more resilient, diverse and sustainable agrifood systems.
Discussions focuses on soil health, agrobiodiversity and opportunity crops, deforestation-free value chains, financing nature-positive agriculture and scaling research-based innovations. A central question will be how to move beyond fragmented research findings and isolated pilot projects towards investments, policies and partnerships that enable implementation at scale.
09:00–09:25 Opening and keynote: Science, partnerships and investment
Opening reflections will examine how science, international cooperation and investment can contribute to resilient and sustainable food and land systems.
Marcella Quintero, Associate Director General, Research Strategy, and Innovation for the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT.
Annemarie Van der Avort, Director of Environment and Climate, Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.
09:30–10:30 Panel 1 – From Soil Knowledge to Action: Turning Evidence into Locally Adapted Solutions
With scene-setting by KU Leuven, the panel will compare experiences across Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia, examining soil degradation, declining fertility, climate shocks and fertiliser dependency. It will explore how soil-health research can inform locally adapted solutions and how successful approaches can be financed and scaled.
Stephanie Speck, Global Director, Strategic Partnerships, Engagement & Communications, Alliance
Job Kihara, Principal Scientist, Soil and Water Management, Alliance
Luis Sánchez Álvarez, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
AB InBev participates in SAI Platform's industry-wide efforts to harmonise sustainability approaches and promote regenerative farming practices across agricultural supply chains, particularly for crops such as barley. The collaboration focuses on improving soil health, biodiversity, water management, climate resilience and farmers' livelihoods.
AB InBev was among the companies involved in SAI Platform's collaborative regenerative agriculture initiative launched in 2019, which contributed to developing common principles, indicators and practices. SAI Platform subsequently launched its Regenerating Together framework in 2023 to support consistent measurement and implementation of regenerative agriculture across different commodities and regions.
Katie Hoard, Global VP Sustainability Operations, AB InBev
Nikolai Porkhov, Public Affairs & Outreach Director, SAI Platform
11:00–12:30 Closed-door roundtable – Advancing Traceable and Deforestation-Free Agricultural Value Chains
This invitation-based discussion brought together selected public, private and research actors to examine implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), focusing on coffee and cocoa supply chains. Issues include traceability, data interoperability, smallholder inclusion, ecosystem-service verification and opportunities to generate additional value for producers.
14:00–15:00 Panel 2 – Opportunity Crops for Agrobiodiversity-Based Food Systems
The panel addressed how neglected, underutilised and locally adapted crops can contribute to diversified food systems, healthier diets and rural livelihoods. It will explore the role of farmer knowledge, seed systems, processing, consumer demand, private-sector engagement and investment in expanding the cultivation and commercialisation of opportunity crops.
Carlo Fadda, Director, Agrobiodiversity, Alliance
Francesca Grazioli, Scientist, Alliance
Gloria Otieno, Scientist, Alliance
Filip Vandelook, Director of Science, Meise Botanic Garden
Christophe Larose, Head of Sector, Sustainable Agriculture, DG International Partnerships, European Commission
Beatrice Egulu, Policy Officer, Agriculture and Rural Development, African Union Commission;
Thomas Lopes, Research and Innovation Brokerage Manager, COLEAD.
15:00–16:00 Panel 3 – Using Science to Mobilize Finance for Nature
Led by CGIAR's ImpactSF initiative, the session will explore how research evidence can reduce investment risks and attract finance for nature-positive agricultural practices. It will examine mechanisms for directing capital towards smallholder farmers while generating measurable environmental, climate and livelihood benefits.
Martina Melchiori, Senior Impact Officer, CGIAR Hub for Sustainable Finance (ImpactSF);
Marcela Quintero, Associate Director General, Research Strategy and Innovation, Alliance;
Julius Kalulu, CEO, Just Know Your Coffee Cup (JKCC);
Koen Van Troos, Manager, International Partnerships & Communication, BIO;
Maike Möllers, Head of the CompensACTION Secretariat.
16:15–17:15 Panel 4 – Scaling Science-Based Innovations: From Lab to Market
Led by the Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP), the panel will examine how agricultural research innovations can move beyond laboratory development and pilot projects towards commercialisation and widespread adoption. Discussions will address technology validation, entrepreneurship, investment readiness, partnerships and market access, with particular attention to connecting research organisations, startups, investors and agricultural end users.
Vincenzo Lorusso, Policy Officer, International Cooperation, DG Research & Innovation, European Commission;
Frida Koslowski, Co-Founder and Director, Kindling Venture;
Aziza Inoubli, Innovation and Venture Ecosystem Advisor.
Nature Day and the Innovation Expo
Alongside the Forum, the Alliance will contribute to Brussels Climate Week's Nature Day plenary on Agriculture, Land & Food Systems (14:00–15:00), with Stephanie Speck among the listed contributors. The session will explore regenerative agriculture, land restoration, water resilience, traceability, digital solutions and sustainable finance.
At the Nature Day Expo (09:00–17:30), the Alliance will showcase two initiatives:
International Musa Germplasm Transit Centre (09:00–12:30): Hosted by KU Leuven, this collection of more than 1,700 banana accessions supports crop conservation, research and resilience against pests, diseases and climate stresses.
Cacao of Excellence (14:00–17:30): An initiative connecting cacao genetic diversity, quality assessment, flavour recognition and market opportunities for producers.
The Forum is organised around three interconnected pillars: Global Youth Action, the Science and Innovation Forum, and the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum. Its 2026 flagship event is organised under the theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow.”
It features policy dialogues, scientific sessions, innovation laboratories, investment matchmaking, exhibitions and side events, with particular emphasis on connecting modern science and technology with traditional knowledge and locally relevant innovations.
The Science and Innovation sessions (13–15 October 2026) aim to accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems by strengthening the connections between scientific research, technological innovation, policymaking and practical action. Bringing together researchers, policymakers, development partners, private-sector actors, farmers and young innovators, the sessions explore how science and innovation can address food insecurity, climate change, biodiversity loss and inequalities in agrifood systems.
Key discussions focus on strengthening science–policy interfaces, improving access to reliable evidence, mobilising investment in agricultural research and innovation, harnessing digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and developing more inclusive research partnerships. Particular attention is given to translating scientific knowledge into locally relevant solutions, empowering women and youth, and ensuring that innovations reach smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.
The 2026 Science and Innovation Forum opens with a Plenary on harnessing science and innovation for agrifood transformation and food security. Under the theme "Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”, leading speakers spark dialogue on working together to accelerate progress. The Plenary highlights data, and evidence and technology for decision-making, while noting that millions still lack basic technologies. All career stages and stakeholders are invited to build a stronger global community for action.
QU Dongyu Director-General, FAO
Prof. Charles Spillane Chief Scientist, FAO
H.E. Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Uzbekistan
H. E. Armando Rodríguez Batista Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment Havana, The Republic of Cuba
HRH Princess Basma bint Ali FAO Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Near East and North Africa
Mr Alexander Alimov Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Russian Federation
Prof. Paolo Benanti, TOR Professor of Moral Theology and Ethics of Technology, Advisor to the Vatican on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy
Ana Maria Bertolini, WFF Young Scientist Group and University of São Paulo (USP)
Ms Wafa Ben-Hassine, Chief, Digital Technology and Human Rights Section Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Prof. Robbert Dijkgraaf, President-elect International Science Council (ISC) Amsterdam, Netherlands
H.E. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya
Dr Segenet Kelemu, Executive Director Pan-African Programs Mastercard Foundation Nairobi, Kenya
Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Director General Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) New Delhi, India
Dr. Vincent Martin, Director, Office of Innovation, FAO
Mr Martien van Nieuwkoop, Director, Agricultural Development Gates Foundation
Mr Achim Steiner, Senior Fellow Oxford Martin School University of Oxford Oxford, United Kingdom
Prof. Ryutaro Tao, Vice President Dean of the Faculty and Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Japan
Dr Abdou Tenkouano, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) Nairobi, Kenya
Prof. Valmaine Toki, Chair and Pacific Member, United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) & Professor of Law Te Piringa Faculty of Law, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Dr. Andrew Zolli, Co-founder Chief Impact Officer Planet Labs PBC San Francisco, United States of America
Science and innovation are critical for agrifood transformation, but does evidence alone drive change, or does how and by whom science is communicated matter just as much? Launching a joint FAO and International Science Council paper, this session explores who communicates science, for whom, and why; whose knowledge counts; how trust is built; and how artificial intelligence should reshape science communication. Experts from research, media, policy and civil society will debate.
Prof. Charles Spillane, Chief Scientist, FAO
Anne Aubert, Senior Communications Officer, Office of Corporate Communications, FAO
Dr Germana Barata, Science Journalist and Researcher, Laboratory of Advanced Studies in Journalism University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil
Ms Valerie Bizier, Deputy Director, Statistics Division, FAO
Dr Mariette DiChristina, Dean, Professor of the Practice in Journalism, College of Communication, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Ms Wara Iris Ruiz Condori, Youth Policy Board Member, World Food Forum, Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Prof. Robbert Dijkgraaf, President-elect International Science Council (ISC), Distinguished University Professor of Mathematical Physics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Prof. Joan Leach, Acting Provost & Senior Vice-President, The Australian National University, Australia
Dr Preet Lidder, Technical Advisor, Office of FAO Chief Scientist
Dr Sheila Obim, Executive Director, Alliance for Science, Nairobi, Kenya
Ms Brigitte Perrin, Founder, Earth Info Hub, Geneva, Switzerland
Dr Elizabeth Rasekoala, President African Gong, The Pan-African Network for the Popularization of Science and Technology and Science Communication, Cape Town, South Africa
Dr Dyna Rochmyaningsih, Science Journalist Independent Jakarta, Indonesia
Dr Dan Santos, Research Fellow Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University Australia
Ms Anne-Sophie Stevance, Policy Director International Science Council (ISC) Paris, France
Dr Hisham Younes, Founder and President Green Southerners, Researcher in Environmental and Climate Issues, London, United Kingdom
IM03 14:00 - Hand in Hand Regional Initiative: Scaling Regional Investment for Agrifood systems transformation in Southern Africa
Southern Africa's expanded six-pillar regional investment architecture under the SADC–FAO Hand-in-Hand partnership. Building on progress in irrigation, mechanization, agroprocessing, and trade integration. This program now expands to include seed systems and aquaculture/fisheries—anchored in regional corridors (Lobito, Nacala, Walvis Bay, Beira, Mtwara, Maputo). Discover bankable opportunities.
From uncertainty to resilience How can countries respond to fertilizer market uncertainty while building healthier soils and more resilient food systems? Drawing on policy, research and country experience, this side event explores practical solutions – from nutrient management and soil health approaches to smarter support systems – that can be adopted and scaled today. Participants will discuss what works in practice and the conditions needed to move proven solutions from pilot initiatives to impact at scale.
Carla Barroso Carneiro Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Brazil to the UN Agencies in Rome
Jen Haugen Head of Food, Agriculture, Land and Social Protection, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Kazuki Kitaoka Director of the FAO Office of Youth and Women
Delphine Leconte-Demarsy Fertilizer Market Specialist, FAO Investment Centre
Henry Webber Senior Policy Officer, Fertilizer Policy UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Sergiy Zorya Global Lead for Public Policies and Expenditures, World Bank Group
Wednesday, 14 October — Science-policy and science communication
Particularly relevant to agricultural research organizations and NARS: addresses how scientific evidence can more effectively inform policy and decision-making. Robust evidence for agrifood systems is continually generated, but the machinery turning science into policy is often weak or unclear. This session asks why the science-policy interface can be a bottleneck: how advisory systems can be strengthened, how ministries can share one evidence base, how legitimacy and Indigenous knowledge fit in, and how officials' capacity to use evidence can grow. It also launches both a joint assessment by FAO and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development and a FAO e-learning course, and hosts a frank exchange on what works.
Dr. QU Dongyu FAO Director-General
Prof. Charles Spillane Chief Scientist, FAO
H.E. Armando Rodríguez Batista Minister for Science, Technology and Environment Havana, Cuba
Dr Justine Betja Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) London, United Kingdom
Dr Cecilia Elizondo Member, Steering Committee High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) Committee on World Food Security (CFS) Academic Member, Agroecology Group El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) Chiapas, Mexico
Dr Nizar Haddad Director General-designate International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) Beirut, Lebanon
H.E. Henry Musa Kpaka Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Sierra Leone
Dr Preet Lidder Office of Chief Scientist, FAO
Dr Sélim Louafi Deputy Director General for Research and Strategy French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) Montpellier, France
Ms Greet Maenhout Deputy Director Directorate D – Sustainable Resources Joint Research Centre European Commission Ispra Italy
Dr John Roche Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Wellington, New Zealand
Prof. Sun Tan Vice-President Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) Beijing, China
Ms Claudia Martínez Zuleta Country Director, FOLU Colombia Executive Director, E3 – Ecology, Economics and Ethics Bogotá, Colombia
Agricultural extension links science to farmers' fields, but in many countries the connection is weak or underfunded. This session reviews evidence on extension effectiveness, why adoption often fails, and what farmers need to succeed. It weighs digital advisory platforms, artificial intelligence–enabled agronomy, knowledge centres, farmer field schools, and peer networks, and asks whether extension serves women equitably.
Dr. Abebe Haile-Gabriel ADG & Regional Representative for Africa FAO
Prof. Dr Ebraheem Suliman Yousuf Al Taha'at Dean, Faculty of Agriculture Ajloun National University, Ajloun, Jordan
Prof. Regina Birner Head, Department of Social and Institutional Change in Agricultural Development University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
Ms Maria Auxiliadora Briones Executive Secretary, Latin America Network of Rural Advisory Services (RELASER) Managua, Nicaragua
Dr Anamika Dey Chief Innovation Manager and CEO Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) Visiting Faculty, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) Ahmedabad, India
Ms Isnawati Hidayah Senior Researcher, CELIOS; Founder, ROTASI Institute Member, WFF Young Scientists Group (Indonesia)
Dr Timothy Krupnik Director, CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Montpellier, France
Ms Lilian Lihasi Executive Director, African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) Kampala, Uganda
Dr. Vincent Martin Office of Innovation FAO
Mr Babafemi Oyewole CEO, Pan African Farmers' Organization (PAFO) Rwanda
Ms Anne-Sophie Poisot Office of Innovation FAO
Dr Saravanan Raj Director, Agricultural Extension National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management MANAGE Hyderabad, India
Dr. Selvaraju Ramasamy Office of Innovation FAO
Mr Tsilavo Sarobidy Hasimbola Razanajatovo Director-General of Food Sovereignty, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Madagascar and Head of Delegation
Mr Milindi Sibomana Chief Agriculture Officer, One Acre Fund Kigali, Rwanda
Dr Janny Vos Director, Partnerships Development, CABI
YM10 10:30 – Transformative Research Challenge Finals
The Transformative Research Challenge Finals brings together ten finalist teams to showcase their innovations, engage with an international jury and partners and compete for recognition across five prize areas.
The World Food Forum Young Scientists Group launches its biennial report: Resilience under pressure: Young women navigating conflict in Agrifood Systems. Bringing together young scientists, FAO leadership and global experts, the session unpacks how conflict reshapes young women's participation, agency and resilience in agrifood systems, and explores how evidence can drive more inclusive, youth- and gender-responsive policy and programming.
Beth Bechdol, FAO DDG
Prof. Charles Spillane, FAO Chief Scientist
Dr. Nicoline de Haan, CGIAR Director
Dr. Gabriela Hernandez, YSG member
Alaa Osman, YPB member
Naina Qayyum, YSG member
Dr. Mayumi Sato, YSG member
ST12 12.30 - 13.30 - Launch of the 5th round of the Accelerator Mentorship Programme for Women-led SMEs in Africa
This event launches the fifth cohort of the Accelerator Mentorship Programme for Women-led small and medium enterprises in Africa, a joint FAO-Emerging Ag initiative. Since 2022 it has paired women agrifood entrepreneurs, who face gaps in land, finance and market access, with experienced mentors and training. The new cohort brings fifty women entrepreneurs together with mentors for nine months. Programme leadership, mentors and selected mentees will discuss evidence, results and challenges.
Mr Maurizio Martina Deputy Director-General FAO
Mr Abebe Haile Gabriele ADG, FAORAF
Ms Robynne Anderson President Emerging Ag
Mr Bernhard van Lengerich Founder and CEO Seeding the Future
Marina Kamanzi Founder & Managing Director Kagezi Seed Company Limited Zambia
Peserverance Muzeya Founder & CEO Alzanael Private Limited Zimbabwe
Ms Yolande Nankeng Founder Extrait Végétal Sarl
Ms Tacko Ndiaye Senior Officer Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) FAO
Ms Lauren Michelle Phillips Director Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU)
Ms Donna Rosa CEO Efour Enterprises
Cherotich Rutto Founder & CEO, Tawi Fresh Kenya Limited Kenya
Nikola Trendov Senior Digital Agriculture and Innovation Specialist, OIN
IM17 14:00 - Presentations of agrifood investment plans by Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Rwanda: tea, coffee, Irish potato, pig and poultry, avocado, and chili for domestic and export markets. Uganda: dairy, animal feeds, maize processing, and hides, skins, and leather. Zambia: livestock, soybeans, and honey. Zimbabwe: irrigation-led production and agro-processing for food security and exports.
Eight youth-led startup finalists will pitch their innovative solutions to a live audience and distinguished judging panel. Following deliberations, winners will be announced across four categories, as well as an additional award for AI and the overall 2026 SIA winner.
Botanic gardens can become vital allies in building resilient agrifood systems. By joining forces with genebanks, researchers, breeders and farmers, they can deliver solutions for more diversified farming and diets, while advancing global biodiversity goals such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Plant Treaty. Experts from FAO, Kew Gardens, the New York Botanical Garden and elsewhere will identify practical ways to connect plant conservation with agrifood action.
Dr. QU Dongyu FAO Director-General
Godfrey Magwenzi Deputy Director-General FAO
Prof. Charles Spillane Chief Scientist, FAO
H.R.H. Princess Basma bint Ali Princess and FAO Goodwill Ambassador Kingdom of Jordan
Ms Ma. Shiela Anunciado Program Manager for Food Security and Nutrition and Food Systems Asia International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) Philippines
Dr Carly Cowell Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) Richmond, United Kingdom
Dr Colin Khoury Global Conservation Lead Global Crop Diversity Trust Project Manager Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants New York Botanical Garden New York, United States of America
Ms Charlotte Lusty Head of Seed Collections Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond, United Kingdom
Dr Sognigbé N'Danikou Scientist Traditional Vegetables Conservation and Utilization World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) Cotonou, Benin
Mr Andrew T. Mushita Executive Director Community Technology Development Organisation (CTDO), Harare, Zimbabwe
Prof. Ryutaro Tao Vice President Dean of the Faculty and Graduate School of Agriculture Kyoto University, Japan
Young women are key to transforming agrifood systems, yet they continue to face significant barriers. This interactive session presents new evidence from the CGIAR GENDER Accelerator flagship report and FFF GESI lessons, showcasing innovative, youth-led and gender-transformative solutions. Bringing together researchers, young women leaders, policymakers and investors, it will explore partnerships and investments needed to build equitable, resilient and sustainable food systems by 2050.
Jessica Heckert Senior Research Fellow in the Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute
Gaudiose Mujawamariya Africa Rice / CGIAR GENDER Accelerator Gender Focal Point/ Youth Thrive Lead
Kenedy Lyatuu Farmer and Founder of AfroHarvest Ventures, Youth Board member, ProVeg International
Lucia Gerbaldo Gender and Social Inclusion Expert at FAO Forest and Farm Facility
Elisabetta Gotorr Director, Land Resource Economics Unit, and Program Leader, Performance, Innovation and Strategic Analysis for Impact, Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT
This event showcases scalable innovations in policy design and implementation that foster alignment across programmes in support of National Agrifood Systems Investment Plans under CAADP's Kampala Declaration. Drawing on FAO's Facilitator's Handbook, policymakers and practitioners will share a systems approach that aligns policy objectives with private sector needs and boosts investment to generate jobs for youths in agrifood systems.
Corinna Hawkes Director, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF), FAO
Chantal Ingabire Director General for Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Rwanda
Siobhan Kelly Agribusiness Officer, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, FAO
H.E. Elizabeth McCullough Ambassador (Permanent Representative) of Ireland to the Rome Based Agencies (RBAs)
Bernard Mumba Chief Agriculture Economist, Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia
Harry O'Crowley Head of International Development, UN and SDGs Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Ireland
Estherine Lisinge Fotobang Director of Programme Implementation and Coordination, Agriculture and Rural Transformation, AUDA-NEPAD
Francisco Meza Director of Strategies for Behavior Change, Ministry of Health, Mexico
Oscar Chita
Director, Project Management and Monitoring, Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia
Thursday, 15 October — Main Science & Innovation programme
Scientific evidence for agrifood and food security progress is continually generated, but synthesis remains lacking across topics, formats and timescales. Unlike climate and biodiversity, agrifood lacks responsive synthesis platforms. This interactive session led by experts from research institutions, international bodies and national systems asks why that gap persists and how priorities shape evidence use, confronting bias in whose knowledge counts and what artificial intelligence could offer.
Dr QU Dongyu Director-General, FAO
Prof. Charles Spillane Chief Scientist, FAO
Mr Ammad Bahalim Senior Program Officer Global Policy and Multilateral Engagement Agricultural Development Gates Foundation Seattle, United States of America
Dr Tanja Kuchenmüller Unit Head, Evidence to Policy and Impact Research for Health Department Science Division World Health Organization (WHO) Geneva, Switzerland
Ms Arianna Legovini Director, Development Impact Development Economics World Bank Group Washington, D.C. United States of America
Dr Preet Lidder Technical Advisor Office of the Chief Scientist, FAO
Dr Racine Ly Director of Data Intelligence & Governance and National Representative, AKADEMIYA2063 Senegal
Dr Biljana Macura Senior Research Fellow Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Stockholm, Sweden
Dr Jan C. Minx Head Evidence for Climate Solutions Working Group Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) Berlin, Germany
Dr Aditi Mukherji Principal Scientist – Climate Action Lead, Livestock and Climate Solutions Hub
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Nairobi, Kenya
Dr Arnald Puy Associate Professor in Social and Environmental Uncertainties School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Birmingham Birmingham, United Kingdom
Dr Andy Robinson Chief Publishing and Product Officer, and Managing Director Publishing CABI, Wallingford
Ms Birte Snilstveit Director – Synthesis and Reviews Head of London Office International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) London, United Kingdom
Dr Karla Soares-Weiser Chief Executive Officer Cochrane London, United Kingdom
One Health links pandemic risk and agrifood resilience, extending beyond zoonotic spillover to crop, forest, fish and soil health. This session examines where risk concentrates, how livestock and land use reshape spillover, and treats antimicrobial, herbicide and pesticide resistance as expressions of the same evolutionary dynamics that cannot be solved in silos. It asks: Has One Health changed outcomes or just coordination, and who bears costs versus benefits? Farmers, funders, scientists, policymakers and equity advocates explore these tensions and discuss practical commitments.
Godfrey Magwenzi Deputy Director-General, FAO
Thanawat Tiensin Assistant Director-General, FAO
Mona Chaya Special Adviser Chief Scientist Office, FAO
Dr Helen Coskeran Senior Project Manager, One Health Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Dr Artemiy Dimov Postdoctoral Scientific Collaborator I, Human and Animal Health Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) Allschwil, Switzerland
Bruce Gordon Director a.i. Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration World Health Organization (WHO)
H.E. Dr Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Dr Delia Grace Randolph Professor of Food Safety Systems, Natural Resources Institute University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran Director General World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Paris, France
Prof. Xiao-Nong Zhou Professor School of Global Health Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Chief Scientist, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
This session asks whether agrifood research funding models are fit for purpose. It examines why fragile, conflict-affected states remain underinvested, why short-term funding favors low-risk work over sustained research, and whether large grants and merged institutions help or hurt quality. It explores power in research agenda-setting and how farmers and Global South institutions can shape questions. Speakers from research and funding organizations will propose funding reforms.
Prof. Charles Spillane Chief Scientist, FAO
H.E. Martin Selmayr Ambassador, Permanent Representative to FAO Delegation of the European Union, Rome
Dr Angie Burnett Programme Director Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) London, United Kingdom
Ms Allison Greenberg Director Reimagining Humanitarian Nutrition Security The Rockefeller Foundation New York, United States of America
Ms Joanna Kane-Potaka Executive Secretary Global Forum on Agricultural Innovation and Research (GFAiR) Rome, Italy
Dr Timothy J. Krupnik Director CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dr David Laborde Director, Agrifood Economics and Policy (ESA) FAO
Ms Rachel Lambert Head of Food & Agriculture Research and Evidence Team Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) London United Kingdom
Ms Arianna Legovini Director Development Impact (DIME) Development Economics World Bank Group Washington, D.C., United States of America
Dr Preet Lidder Technical Advisor, Office of the FAO Chief Scientist
Mr James Morrison Director, Healthy Planet DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
Mr Martien van Nieuwkoop Director Agricultural Development Gates Foundation Washington, United States of America
Mr Richard Kwaku Ofori-Mante Director, Agricultural Finance and Rural Development Department
African Development Bank Group Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr Selvaraju Ramasamy Senior Agricultural Officer Office of Innovation, FAO
Dr. Yuri Soares Chief Impact Officer IDB Lab Inter-American Development Bank Group Washington, D.C., United States of America
Marking the International Year of the Woman Farmer, this session asks whether digital agriculture's gains truly reach women farmers, or stall at a gender-digital-rural triple divide. It examines whose knowledge shapes digital tools, men's roles in sharing gains, and why pilots struggle to scale equitably. Built around an exchange between advocates and critics of digital agriculture, it works toward commitments on financing, data consent and design supporting women's empowerment.
Beth Bechdol Deputy Director-General, FAO
Adriano Campolina Deputy Director ad interim Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Divisions FAO
Mona Chaya Special Adviser, Office of the Chief Scientist
Dr Nicoline de Haan Director CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator CGIAR System Organization Nairobi, Kenya
Mr Kevin Hernández Digital Inclusion Expert Universal Postal Union
Ms Isnawati Hidayah Senior Researcher Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) Member, World Food Forum Young Scientists Group Jakarta , Indonesia Founder of ROTASI Institute
Ms Sonal Jaitly Associate Partner Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Practice MicroSave Consulting (MSC) New Delhi, India
Dr Els Lecoutere Senior Scientist CGIAR Accelerator for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Montpellier, France
Dr Erin McGuire Executive Director International Agricultural Development Program University of California, Davis Director and Founder Responsible Innovations California, United States of America
Maryam Rahmanian Expert in science and innovation in agrifood systems Office of Chief Scientist, FAO
Ms Maggie Refaat Gender Specialist FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Cairo, Egypt
Ms Jona Repishti Director of Strategy and Data Insights Digital Green Washington D.C., United States of America
Dr Claudia Ringler Director Agrifood Innovation and Resilience Unit International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Washington, D.C., United States of America
Dr Shobha Shetty Head Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) Senior Adviser, Agriculture World Bank Group Washington, D.C., United States of America
This session asks whether startup-style entrepreneurship fits food insecurity in lower-income countries, where margins are thin and market failures are common. It examines evidence beyond output measures, whether small and medium enterprises deserve more attention than startups, and whether large companies acquiring startups should be central partners. Entrepreneurs, investors, large companies, governments, finance institutions and researchers will debate alternative models and recommendations.
Prof. Charles Spillane Chief Scientist, FAO
Dr Maximo Torero Chief Economist, FAO
Cristina Alderighi Water Management Specialist, NSLD, FAO
Dr Debisi Araba Managing Director AKADEMIYA2063 Kigali, Rwanda
Ms Fiorella Arias Bonilla Biotechnology engineer & bioeconomy innovator Costa Rica
Dr Segenet Kelemu Executive Director, Pan-African Programs (PANA Programs) Mastercard Foundation Nairobi, Kenya
Dr Bernhard van Lengerich Founder and President Seeding The Future Foundation Chicago, United States of America
Dr Michal Levy Chief Scientist and Senior Deputy Director-General Agricultural Innovation Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Israel
Ms Celeste Macilwaine Youth Innovation Specialist Office of Youth and Women (OYW) FAO
Vincent Martin Director, Office of Innovation, FAO
Mr Godfrey Noel Strategy Lead Kilimora CLG Nairobi, Kenya
Agrifood systems depend on a finite, poorly monitored water base destabilized by climate change. This session weighs evidence on water-food trade-offs, why efficiency gains like drip irrigation may not yield basin-level savings (a Jevons paradox rebound), and evaluates technologies like desalination against hype. It examines financing tools like water pricing, and tests directing artificial intelligence investment toward smallholder irrigation. Leading experts from different sectors and regions will map key water-policy evidence gaps.
Prof. Charles Spillane Chief Scientist, FAO
Dr George Akoko
Dr Vera Agostini Deputy Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, FAO
Dr Leunell Chris M. Buela Assistant Professor, Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Scientific Committee Chair, UNESCO Groundwater Youth Network
Ms Yara da Silva Freitas General Coordinator, Cisterns Programme Ministry of Social Development, Family and Fight Against Hunger, Brazil
Dr Mohsin Hafeez Director Water, Food and Ecosystems International Water – IWMI
Mr Jippe Hoogeveen Senior Land and Water Officer / Chief Technical Advisor, FAO
Dr Lifeng Li Director, Land and Water Division (NSL), FAO
Ms Euphresia Luseka Co-Thematic Lead Leave No One Behind Theme Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN)
Hon. Roza Fachi Mbilizi Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Malawi
Dr Vinay Nangia Research Team Leader Soils, Waters and Agronomy International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Dr Livia Peiser Senior Land and Water Officer, FAO
Prof. Hanqin Tian Director and Institute Professor Center for Earth System Science and Global Sustainability, Boston College
Dr Robina Wahaj Senior Land and Water Officer Land and Water Division (NSL), FAO
Climate tipping points are widely discussed, but the science of where limits lie and whether they are reversible remains uncertain, and some may already be crossed. This session examines agrifood systems as both exposed to and drivers of tipping points, asking what happens once adaptation fails, shifting to loss-and-damage finance, insurance and managed retreat. Experts from climate science, agrifood systems and governance will diagnose likely failures and possible transformations.
Prof. Charles Spillane Chief Scientist, FAO
Dr Manuel Barange Director Fisheries & Aquaculture Division (NFI) FAO
Dr Rachel Bezner Kerr Professor of Global Development Cornell University New York, USA
Dr Racine Ly Director of Data Intelligence and Governance AKADEMIYA2063 Dakar, Senegal
Ms Greet Maenhout Deputy Director Directorate D – Sustainable Resources Joint Research Centre
European Commission Ispra, Italy
Dr Piedad Martin Deputy Director, Office of Climate Change Biodiversity and Environment (OCB), FAO
H.E. Mr Roberto Albino Mito Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, Mozambique
Dr Aditi Mukherji Principal Scientist – Climate Action Lead, Livestock and Climate Solutions Hub International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Nairobi, Kenya
Dr Camilla Novaglio Working Group Leader on Future , Oceans and Fisheries, Leibniz Centre for Trop
Ms Yumara Antonieta Soria Peralta Regional Coordinator Central American Agricultural Council (CAC) Central American Integration System (SICA) San José, Costa Rica
Dr Patrícia Pinho Deputy Science Director Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM Amazônia) Brasília, Brazil
Dr Hanqin Tian Director and Institute Professor, Center for Earth System Science and Global Sustainability (CES3) Boston College; Global Carbon Project, USA
Discover how artificial intelligence can revolutionize agrifood investment! Artificial intelligence converts vast amounts of data into actionable intelligence, bridging the gap between country priorities and financing. Learn how to identify high-impact, inclusive investments that benefit smallholders, women and youth. Join governments, international financial institutions, multilateral development banks and private investors.
This session tackles a key bottleneck: helping early-career researchers translate science into food security impact. Structured as short mentoring conversations between emerging and senior scientists, it moves a cohort through five dimensions: ambition, collaboration, policy engagement, communication and purposeful careers. Drawing on researchers from nutrition, agroecology, digital innovation, fisheries and water management, it builds shared actions to accelerate impact.
Mona Chaya Special Adviser, Chief Scientist Office, FAO
Prof. Carlo D’Ippoliti Full Professor of Political Economy, Department of Statistical Sciences
Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Prof. Delia Grace Randolph Professor of Food Safety Systems Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, United Kingdom
Prof. Ryutaro Tao Vice President, Kyoto University, Japan
Prof. Hanqin Tian Director and Institute Professor Center for Earth System Science and Global Sustainability, Boston College
Climate extremes increasingly disrupt agriculture and food security. Advances in forecasting, Earth observation and artificial intelligence offer warnings months ahead, shifting response from reactive to proactive. The challenge is ensuring science informs timely decisions by governments and farmers. Organized by FAO's Office of the Chief Scientist and Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, this event showcases innovative approaches and fosters dialogue on food security.
Dr. QU Dongyu Director-General, FAO
Prof. Charles Spillane FAO Chief Scientist
Nancy Aburto Deputy Director Nutrition Division, FAO
Zhenlin Chen Administrator of China Meteorological Administration
Pr Hui Ju Climate Change Lab Institute of Environment and sustainable Development in Agriculture
Philippe Mauguin Chair & CEO National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE)
Yonglan Qian National Meteorological Centre China Meteorological Administration
Pr. Susan Pan Research Director of the Center for Earth System Science and Global Sustainability and the Global Carbon Project Boston Office
H.E Ambassador Tanguy Stehelin French Permanent mission to the UN in Rome
Pr. Sun Tan Vice President, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)
H.E Ambassador Lubiao Zhang Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture
The event will showcase FAO Campus’s vision, partnerships, and capacity development results in Latin America and the Caribbean, and it will also highlight FAO elearning Academy´s work in the region, and results achieved under the Four Betters Courses Initiative. Presentations will include joint experiences with partners from academia, projects with government offices, and trainings on FPIC, under the vision of promoting focused public policies and enabling environments for investments.
Cristhel Rachell Cáceres Youth Representative of the Regional Youth Food Lab Latin America, Independent
Karina Crespo FAO Campus Coordinator, FAO
Rene Orellana Halkyer FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC)
Cristina Petracchi FAO elearning Academy Leader
Lauren Michelle Phillips FAO Director of Partnerships and UN Collaboration
Pablo Rabczuk Senior Programme Officer and Chief of Staff of the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
Francis Denisse Mclean Rodriguez Associate Professor, Zamorano University, Honduras
The Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI initiative and its recent global data release, will present current trends in agricultural R&D capacity and investment, and consider emerging approaches, including geospatial data, imputation methods, open data practice and AI-assisted analysis, that could shape the next generation of agrifood science and technology indicators.
Prof. Charles Spillane FAO Chief Scientist
Dr. Debisi Araba Managing Director AKADEMIYA2063 Kigali, Rwanda
Dr Allison Greenberg Director Reimagining Humanitarian Nutrition Security The Rockefeller Foundation New York, United States of America
Dr Preet Lidder Technical Advisor, Office of the FAO Chief Scientist
Dr. José Rosero Moncayo FAO Chief Statistician Director of the Statistics Division (ESS)
Dr. Hernán D. Muñoz FAO–ASTI Project Leader
Dr Ivan Štefanić European Innovation Council Ambassador (food chain technologies, and novel and sustainable food)
Dr. Gert-Jan Stads Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (CGIAR)
8 October 2026 | Online Webinar | GFAiR – EFARD – HSWT. Making Biopesticides Work: Connecting Regulation, Scientific Evidence and Sustainable Pest Management.
The webinar brought together two complementary research perspectives, examining how regulatory conditions and field-level effectiveness influence the development, commercialisation and adoption of biopesticides.
Krishna Gondaliya (HSWT) presented “Context-dependent effectiveness of biopesticides in field crop systems and implications for sustainable pest management: a structured evidence review.” The presentation examined how biopesticide performance varies across agricultural environments and field conditions. Unlike conventional approaches that assess efficacy under standardised experimental conditions, the review emphasised the importance of understanding the contexts in which biopesticides deliver reliable results. The review provided a basis for considering how scientific evidence can inform product development, farmer recommendations and the integration of biopesticides into sustainable pest-management strategies.
Dr Emmanuel Tetteh Jumpah (EFARD/HSWT) presented “Why Biopesticide Regulation Matters Globally,” drawing on a 2026 multi-stakeholder expert survey covering Europe, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, North America and the Middle East.
The survey examined the legal and regulatory frameworks governing biopesticides and identified several major challenges:
Unpredictable approval timelines and administrative inefficiencies that delay market access.
Regulatory requirements that may impose disproportionate burdens on lower-risk biological products.
Limited technical and institutional capacity for evaluating and registering biopesticides.
Barriers faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing innovative biological pest-control products.
Insufficient regulatory harmonisation and mutual recognition across countries and regions.
Regulatory frameworks that do not always reflect local agricultural conditions and practical implementation needs.
The presentation explored the importance of proportionate, risk-based regulatory approaches that maintain safety and efficacy standards while facilitating innovation, investment and access to biological pest-management solutions.
Connecting regulation, research and agricultural practice
A moderated panel discussion and question-and-answer session brought together the two perspectives, exploring how regulatory systems, scientific evidence and local agricultural conditions interact. The central message was that biopesticides cannot be scaled successfully through technological innovation alone. Their effective deployment requires coordinated efforts involving researchers, regulatory authorities, agricultural extension services, private-sector developers and farmers.
Reliable field evidence can strengthen regulatory decision-making, while more predictable and proportionate regulatory procedures can encourage investment and facilitate access to effective biological products.
Resource:
Biosolutions in Afro-Eurasian Agriculture: Institutional Conditions for Scaling Biopesticides and Biofertilizers. A Technical Report for Policymakers, Regulators and Development Partners. Prepared from a thirteen-country comparative review and the EFARD/GFAiR/CAAE webinar of 21 July 2026. 11 p.
SADC (2025) Harmonized Guidelines for the Registration of Biopesticide Products and Biological Control Agents in Southern Africa, May 2025 42 p.
The draft SADC Biopesticide Guidelines promote safer alternatives to chemical pesticides, but their regulatory framework largely reproduces the conventional pesticide industry model, potentially replacing chemical inputs with proprietary biological inputs without transforming agricultural practices. QUESTION: Should Guidelines not try to explicitly establish a proportionate, risk-based regulatory pathway for farmer-produced, locally manufactured and non-proprietary biopesticides, including simplified testing, affordable or waived fees, recognition of traditional knowledge and publicly funded registration support?
CSA, FWA-UAW and AgriCord organise two days in Belgium exploring how farmers' organisations can help build credible, accessible and sustainable bio-input systems, from the laboratory and the field to business models and policy.
Bio-inputs are a key lever for accelerating the transition towards more agroecological, regenerative and resilient agricultural systems.
By helping restore soil fertility, improve crop health, reduce dependence on synthetic inputs and strengthen farmers' autonomy, they offer new ways to combine productivity, sustainability and resilience in the face of climate and economic pressures.
Bio-inputs (biofungicides, bioinsecticides, bioherbicides, biostimulants and compost) naturally emerge as an avenue worth exploring.
Farmers' organisations (FOs) have a central role to play in this transition: through experimentation, production, services to farmers, the dissemination of innovations, and dialogue with public and private stakeholders.
Related:
The South African Bioproduct Organisation (SABO) was established in 2013 as a brainchild between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), various Universities and research institutions as well as the bioproduct industry to improve the standards of bioproducts in the market in order to protect both the market and the end users.
The purpose of SABO is to develop the agricultural bioproduct industry in South Africa and to regulate the activities of participants in accordance with high ethical and science-based standards.
SABO’s official membership directory lists several companies that operate internationally in agricultural biological products, crop protection and bioproducts, such as: Bayer, Corteva Biologicals, Syngenta, UPL OpenAg., Koppert Biological Systems, Lallemand Plant Care, Rizobacter, Suterra.
Related:
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) undertakes research, capacity development and technology transfer to advance the development and adoption of biopesticides and biofertilizers, particularly in Africa. Its Biopesticides Research Group in Cape Town, led by Dr Dennis Obonyo Ndolo, focuses on microbial biological control, integrated pest management and regulatory harmonisation.
Through its Southern Africa Biopesticides Project (2021–2024), ICGEB supported six SADC countries—Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe—in strengthening regulatory frameworks, developing regional registration guidelines and exploring biopesticides to reduce chemical pesticide residues in agricultural products. Its B-INOC AFRICA initiative, supported by the Italian Government, promotes research, innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization of microbial bioinoculants, including biopesticides and biofertilizers. ICGEB also collaborates with FAO and other international partners on agricultural biotechnology, biosafety and biological crop protection.
The workshop on Advancing Regulatory Harmonisation and Biopesticide Innovation in Africa brought together 293 participants (82 in person; 211 joining virtually) from 23 countries.
Participants included regulatory professionals, researchers, industry experts, and policymakers.
The objectives of the workshop were to provide participants with a comprehensive insight into
Africa’s regulatory landscape for biopesticides, facilitate the identification of gaps and challenges
impeding biopesticide research and development, and harmonisation of regional and continental
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