Global Expert Meeting on Agriculture and Agro-industries Development

24-26 April 2017. Zimbabwe. This meeting was organized in preparation for the UN Economic and
Social Council's (ECOSOC) Special Meeting on Innovations in Infrastructure Development and Promoting Sustainable Industrialization (SDG 9), in May 2017.

Concept note [in French]
Final programme [in English; in French]
Information Note
Background Report [18 pages]

Frederick Shava -
UNECOSOC President 

The Expert Meeting aimed to identify potential pathways, incentives and initiatives to realizing the SDGs through agriculture and agro-industry, to be presented as recommendations to ECOSOC and Member States. It gathered global experts from the United Nations agencies, member state governments, private sector and institutional partners to identify potential pathways (incentives and initiatives) to realizing the SDGs through agriculture and agro-industry development. Specifically, it took stock of key trends and innovations for infrastructure development, and promotion of sustainable industrialization through agriculture and agro-industry.

Setting the Stage

• Dr. Bart Minten, IFPRI: “Global Food Systems of the Future: Challenges and Opportunities in the Context of the SDGs”
• Dr. Bill Polidoro, ACDI/VOCA: “New Approach to Public Investment in Agriculture and Agro-industries Development for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems”

Inter-linkages between SDG-9 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

This session highlighted relevant challenges and opportunities related to agriculture and ago-industries development as a driver to achieving SDG9 (build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation) and realizing the 2030 Agenda for

Maria Kiwana Kiwanuka,
Senior Presidential Advisor
former Ugandan Finance Minister 

Sustainable Development in developing countries and countries in special situations.

• Dr. Amarakoon Bandara, UNDP Zimbabwe: “Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”
• Mrs. Spiwe Nyamatore, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Zimbabwe: “A Country Perspective on Agribusiness, Agro-industries development and the 2030 Agenda”
• Dr. Augustin Wambo, NEPAD: “Setting the Agriculture Transformation Component of the SDGs in Motion: Perspectives from CAADP”
• Mr. Gerardo Pattaconi, UNIDO: “Agribusiness: Value Addition, Job Creation and Global Priorities to Implement SDG-9”

New Approaches and Ideas on Agriculture and Agro-industries Development for Sustainable

Food Systems

Today´s challenges related to climate-change and inclusiveness urge us to go beyond traditional agriculture and agroindustry development approaches that often emphasized short-term economic impact over longer-term social and environmental impacts. More holistic approaches and integrated solutions implemented by a widening group of stakeholders are required. This session highlighted  lessons learned and innovative new approaches from around the globe.

• Mr. Mark Fynn, African Union: “Africa’s Experience”
• Dr. Oluyede Ajayi, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation: “Innovative Approaches to Promote Finance and Inclusive Access to Climate Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems”
• Ms. Malala Rabenoro-Rakotomalala, SOFIARY EURL: “Promoting the Involvement of Small holder Farmers in the Development of Agribusiness”
• Mr. Eric Jallas, ITK: “Using Innovative IT Applications”

Leveraging public and private funding for inclusive agriculture and agro-industry development

A central challenge in agriculture and agro-industry development is securing the funding it requires. Public funding is limited while banks and private investors often either don’t see the market potential in these sectors or find them too risky or unrewarding. Especially smaller actors (smallholder farmers, agribusiness SMEs) and specific population groups (youth, women) find access to finance and risk mitigation tools extremely challenging. This session examined the current status and new trends related to access to finance and risk mitigation for inclusive agriculture and Page | 5 agro-industries development.

• Mr. Mark Rostal, DAI: “Value Chain Finance Experiences”
• Ms. Maria Kiwana Kiwanuka:
• Mr. Massimo Pera, FAO: “Innovative Tools and Methodologies to Overcome Barriers in Agribusiness Financing”
• Ms. Esther Muiruri, Equity Bank, Kenya: “Investment Challenges: A Perspective from the Financial Sector”

Innovative public sector approaches to agro-industry-driven sustainable food systems development

The daunting challenges facing agriculture and agro-industries development in developing countries require strong political commitment and leadership of the public sector to create an enabling environment. This session addressed how the public sector can develop more demand-oriented, systemic and innovative approaches to its critical role in designing and monitor policies and mechanisms for inclusive and sustainable agriculture and agro-industries development.

• Dr. Julius Ecuru, Bioresources Innovations Network: “Experiences with Technological, Institutional and Social Innovations to Foster Inclusive Value-Chain Development”
• Mr. Stephen Karingi, UNECA: “Infrastructure and Regional Integration to Benefit Agro-industry and Agro-enterprises”
• Mr. Johann Zueblin, PRIME Agri Ltd: “The PRIME Agri-business”
• Ms. Jodi Smith, Ranadi Plantation Partnership and The Earth Care Agency

Programme frameworks for agribusiness and agro-industry development and ways forward

The special plenary session focused on broad frameworks under which many of the issues on agriculture and agro-industry development that were discussed earlier can be brought together. These vary from conceptual frameworks such as FAO’s sustainable food value chain framework over applied programmes such as the UNIDO-led Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-Industries Development Initiative (3ADI) to collaborative network programmes, such as the African Agribusiness Incubator Network or the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The session focused  on ways and means forward on programme frameworks for inclusive agribusiness and agro-industry development in developing countries and countries in special situations. 

• Dr. David Neven, FAO: “Developing Agribusiness and Agro-industries through Sustainable Food Value Chain Development”
• Ms. Mary Njeri, African Agribusiness Incubator Network: “New Approach to Promoting Agricultural Innovation and Improving Agribusiness Opportunities”
• Mr. Frank Hartwich, UNIDO: “New Trends in Agro-industrialization and Perspectives beyond 3ADI”