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With research staff from more than 60 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

researcher spotlight

Kalyani Raghunathan

Kalyani Raghunathan is Research Fellow in the Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion Unit, based in New Delhi, India. Her research lies at the intersection of agriculture, gender, social protection, and public health and nutrition, with a specific focus on South Asia and Africa. 

Where we work

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Where we work

IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 80 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

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experts

John M. Ulimwengu

Senior Research Fellow

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Bio

John Ulimwengu is a Senior Research Fellow in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit who currently works on food systems mapping in selected African countries. His research interests include food systems dynamics, resilience, and spatial typology for food and nutrition security. Since 2007, John has been involved in strategic research on the transformation of food systems in Africa under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) agenda and has served as the Africa-wide coordinator of the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS). He has codeveloped an interactive spatial typology tool for food and nutrition security that is being used in several countries. He holds a PhD in agricultural economics and a master’s degree in economics from Ohio State University, as well as a master’s degree in development economics from Williams College.

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Publications

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Brief

Improving resource targeting in Niger: Joint financial analysis and food system mapping

2024Ulimwengu, John M.; Gbossa, Nadine
Details

Improving resource targeting in Niger: Joint financial analysis and food system mapping

This policy brief combines the results of a food system mapping exercise with an analysis of financial flows into Niger’s food system from 2019 to 2022 to inform policymaking for food system transformation. The food system mapping reveals several critical points of failure, from low agricultural productivity and inefficient supply chains to poor nutritional outcomes and environmental degradation. Analysis of domestic and international financial flows to the food system reveals that climate adaptation and nutrition are underfunded areas. Understanding these weaknesses can help policymakers and development partners take a more coordinated and strategic approach to addressing the challenges facing Niger’s food system and can inform more effective resource allocation, ensuring that resources support long-term food security and sustainability.

Year published

2024

Authors

Ulimwengu, John M.; Gbossa, Nadine

Citation

Ulimwengu, John M.; and Gbossa, Nadine. 2024. Improving resource targeting in Niger: Joint financial analysis and food system mapping. IFPRI Policy Brief November 2024. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/159745

Country/Region

Niger

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Western Africa; Targeting; Food Systems; Cartography; Agricultural Production; Nutrition; Economic Policies

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Brief

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Journal Article

Africa pathway to food systems transformation: Challenges and opportunities

2024Ulimwengu, John M.
Details

Africa pathway to food systems transformation: Challenges and opportunities

This paper explores the pathways to transforming food systems in Africa, focusing on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It examines the current state of food systems, highlighting issues such as food and nutrition security, environmental degradation, low agricultural productivity, limited availability and adoption of yield-increasing technologies, high malnutrition rates, violent conflicts and threats to peace and security, and inadequate governance. The paper emphasizes the need for policy reform, technological innovation, and capacity building to drive sustainable and inclusive food systems. Key drivers of change include policies promoting sustainable practices, increased funding for agricultural research, and improved market access through infrastructure development and trade policies. Good governance practices, including transparency, accountability, and inclusive decision-making, are crucial for effective policy implementation and stakeholder collaboration. Recommendations include empowering women and youth, supporting community-led initiatives, and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance intraAfrican trade. By adopting these strategies, Africa can build resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems.

Year published

2024

Authors

Ulimwengu, John M.

Citation

Ulimwengu, John M. 2024. Africa pathway to food systems transformation: Challenges and opportunities. African Journal of Sustainable Development 14(1): 125-148. https://africajsd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/9-Ulimwengu_Africa-Pathways-to-Food-Systems-Transformation_JU-FINAL.pdf

Keywords

Africa; Agriculture; Food Systems; Nutrition; Productivity

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Project

National Policies and Strategies

Record type

Journal Article

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Book Chapter

A nutrition-sensitive circular bioeconomy for food systems transformation in Africa

2024Abe-Inge, Vincent; Aidoo, Raphael; Kwofie, Ebenezer Miezah; Ulimwengu, John M.
Details

A nutrition-sensitive circular bioeconomy for food systems transformation in Africa

Africa’s commitment to creating a sustainable and self-sufficient economy for its rapidly growing population has led to programmatic actions aimed at meeting local food, energy, and material demands sustainably and without compromising planetary boundaries (Africa Business Page 2022; Agri SA 2023). The bioeconomy has become a primary focus of this transformative blueprint, generally positioned as a vehicle for generating and using bioresources in meeting local demands for abundance, sustainable goods, and services (Gatune, Ozor, and Oriama 2021; Malabo Montpellier Panel 2022). However, the implementation momentum of the bioeconomy is incumbent on a well-planned and objective-oriented policy framework that supports generation of scientific evidence and reasonable investment structures, among other requirements for implementation (East African Community 2022; Pachón et al. 2018).

Year published

2024

Authors

Abe-Inge, Vincent; Aidoo, Raphael; Kwofie, Ebenezer Miezah; Ulimwengu, John M.

Citation

Abe-Inge, Vincent; Aidoo, Raphael; Kwofie, Ebenezer Miezah; and Ulimwengu, John M. 2024. A nutrition-sensitive circular bioeconomy for food systems transformation in Africa. In Advancing the climate and bioeconomy agenda in Africa for resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, eds. Getaw Tadesse, Katrin Glatzel, and Moumini Savadogo. Chapter 8, Pp. 98-115. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/155081

Keywords

Africa; Nutrition; Bioeconomy; Food Systems

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Book Chapter

Events

Africa’s Food Systems Forum (AGRF) 2023 Summit
IFPRI at External Event

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September 5 to 8, 2023

Africa’s Food Systems Forum (AGRF) 2023 Summit

Event: September 5, 2023 – 3:00 AM to September 8, 2023 – 7:30 AM EDT. IFPRI is participating in Africa’s Food Systems Forum (AGRF) 2023 Summit.

IFPRI’s 2023 Global Food Policy Report: Rethinking Food Crisis Responses – Considerations for Africa
Series/Special Event

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June 22, 2023, 9:00 – 10:30 am

IFPRI’s 2023 Global Food Policy Report: Rethinking Food Crisis Responses – Considerations for Africa

Virtual Event: June 22, 2023 – 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM EDT. The virtual Africa discussion will feature a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the report’s key findings and recommendations and implications for Africa and its regions.

Taking Stock of Africa’s Agrifood Processing Sector
IFPRI Policy Seminar

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February 9, 2023, 8:00 – 9:30 am

Taking Stock of Africa’s Agrifood Processing Sector

Virtual Event: February 9, 2023 – 8:00 AM- 9:30 AM EST. During this event key research findings and policy recommendations of the 2022 ATOR will be presented and discussed by a distinguished panel of representatives from academia, the private sector, and international and regional organizations engaged in strengthening Africa’s agri-food processing sector.

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News

September 06, 2023 | In the News

Unpacking the 2023 Africa agriculture assessment report (CNBC Africa) 

CNBC Africa interviewed John Ulimwengu, IFPRI Senior Research Fellow and the technical editor and lead researcher of the Africa Agriculture Status Report 2023, launched on September 6 at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF). .  The Report titled “Empowering Africa’s Food Systems for the Future” highlights the ways in which Africa is uniquely positioned to redefine its future and […]

August 24, 2018 | In the News

Congo’s maiden agro-industrial park isn’t perfect, but it isn’t a failure (DEVEX)

Devex published an op-ed by IFPRI Senior Research Fellow John Ulimwengu, who detailed Congo’s move towards structural transformation in the agricultural sector with the establishment of their first special economic zone in Bukanga Lonzo.  Created to boost production, encourage private and foreign capital investments, and increase agricultural exports, the agrobusiness park is home to tremendous […]

May 22, 2018 | In the News

Africa’s green revolution stumbles at Congo project to solve food shortages (Reuters)

Exploring reasons behind failure of a Congolese agro-industrial project, Reuters interviews John Ulimwengu. 

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