Agricultural transformation involves the shift in production and workers from traditional agriculture to more productive activities, both within primary agriculture and across sectors within the broader agrifood system. This evolution enhances productivity and typically reduces poverty, raises incomes, and promotes healthier diets. However, not all countries are experiencing the same pace of agricultural transformation, and so it is crucial to understand and measure this process.

To track agricultural transformation, IFPRI has developed the Agricultural Transformation Index (ATI). The ATI provides annual country estimates using global datasets and covering the period 2000-2021. The ATI allows us to monitor changes over time at global, regional, and national scales. This webinar will introduce the indicator, its data sources, and some patterns emerging from the new global dataset.

Welcome Remarks

• Olivier Ecker, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI

Speaker

• James Thurlow, Director, Foresight and Policy Modeling (FPM), IFPRI

Discussant

• Stanley Wood, Affiliate Professor, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington; former Senior Officer – Strategy, Agricultural Development Program, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)

Moderator

• Olivier Ecker, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI