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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

Manuel Hernandez

Manuel Hernandez is a Senior Research Fellow in the Markets, Trade, and Institutions Unit of IFPRI. He has more than 20 years of experience in diverse projects in Latin America, Africa, and Asia on development issues related to agricultural and labor markets, food security and nutrition, industrial organization and regulation, price analysis, and the informal economy. His current research focuses on impact evaluation linked to rural development and food security projects, migration, functioning of oligopoly markets and value chains, and price volatility.

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Since 1975, IFPRI’s research has been informing policies and development programs to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods around the world.

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Natural Resources and Resilience

Kristin Davis

Senior Research Fellow

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Bio

Dr. Kristin Davis is a Senior Research Fellow in the Natural Resources and Resilience Unit, based in South Africa. She joined IFPRI in 2004 as a postdoctoral fellow and currently leads projects conducting research and strengthening capacity on agricultural extension and education, gender equality and youth inclusion, nature-positive solutions, human capital, and agricultural innovation systems. She has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and policy briefs and serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. Kristin was the architect of the New Extensionist Learning Kit, a set of modules containing core competencies for the global agricultural extension agent.

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Publications

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Journal Article

Using best-worst scaling to inform agroecological interventions in Western Kenya

2025Zander, Kerstin K.; Drucker, Adam G.; Aluso, Lillian; Mengistu, Dejene K.; Fadda, Carlo; Termote, Céline; Davis, Kristin E.
Details

Using best-worst scaling to inform agroecological interventions in Western Kenya

Both the demand for food and the environmental impacts of food production are estimated to significantly increase by 2050. Agroecological interventions have proven effective in facilitating the transition from current food production systems to more sustainable ones. These interventions can not only ensure more equitable food and nutritional security but also address poverty and reduce environmental impacts. As such, agroecological interventions can generate both private and public ecosystem services. Farmers play a key role in how food is produced, as the practices they use are linked with their preferences and expertise, as well as the constraints they face. Understanding farmers’ preferences for the adoption of different agroecological practices and their perceptions of the associated costs and benefits is critical to informing policies that can effectively support farmers in transitioning to more sustainable practices, including those that contribute to the generation of ecosystem services highly valued by broader society. To assess such preferences, we conducted a survey among farmers in Western Kenya which included a best-worst scaling experiment augmented by qualitative questions about the reasons for farmers’ views about the importance of the benefits arising from agroecological practices. Results show that farmers have strong preferences for adopting agroecological practices that generate private goods and are directly related to increasing productivity and food security, including improving health of household members. These may also include practices that have some public good elements as well, such as increasing agrobiodiversity. However, practices that generate broader public good benefits, including improved forest quality/coverage, reduced off-farm environmental impacts, greater community-level resilience to shocks, and improved landscape and wildlife management, were less important to farmers. Such findings can be used to inform policies that support farmer adoption of agroecological interventions best suited to different farming communities, as well as indicating the need for additional types of market-based incentives, such as through Payments for Ecosystem Service mechanisms.

Year published

2025

Authors

Zander, Kerstin K.; Drucker, Adam G.; Aluso, Lillian; Mengistu, Dejene K.; Fadda, Carlo; Termote, Céline; Davis, Kristin E.

Citation

Zander, Kerstin K.; Drucker, Adam G.; Drucker, Adam G.; Aluso, Lillian; Mengistu, Dejene K.; Fadda, Carlo; Termote, Céline; and Davis, Kristin. Using best-worst scaling to inform agroecological interventions in Western Kenya. Environment, Development and Sustainability. Article in press. First published online on June 28, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05173-5

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Africa; Eastern Africa; Agroecology; Sustainability; Farmers; Poverty; Farmers’ Attitudes; Ecosystem Services

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05173-5 Source record

Project

Nature-Positive Solutions

Record type

Journal Article

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Working Paper

Nature-positive agriculture for people and the planet: A qualitative analysis from Kenya

2024Kinuthia, Dickson; Oingo, Balentine; Bryan, Elizabeth; Davis, Kristin E.; Wallin, Elsa; Bukachi, Salome A.
Details

Nature-positive agriculture for people and the planet: A qualitative analysis from Kenya

Agricultural intensification that prioritizes profits over people and the environment is increasingly recognized as harmful to people’s wellbeing and the sustainability and resilience of smallholder farming systems. Nature-based solutions are part of nature-positive eco-agrifood systems and are critical for restoring ecosystems and preventing further biodiversity loss and environmental degradation during a climate crisis. To support more widespread adoption of nature-based solutions, it is important to understand dynamics within local communities where these solutions will be applied. This includes deeper understanding of environmental challenges, institutional and governance arrangements, current farming practices, gender relations, and perceptions of nature-based solutions. This study draws on qualitative data on these topics collected from smallholder farmers and key informants in three counties of Kenya. The discussion centers on the potential for nature-based practices to place agricultural production systems on a more sustainable path.

Year published

2024

Authors

Kinuthia, Dickson; Oingo, Balentine; Bryan, Elizabeth; Davis, Kristin E.; Wallin, Elsa; Bukachi, Salome A.

Citation

Kinuthia, Dickson; Oingo, Balentine; Bryan, Elizabeth; Davis, Kristin; Wallin, Elsa; and Bukachi, Salome A. 2024. Nature-positive agriculture for people and the planet: A qualitative analysis from Kenya. IFPRI Discussion Paper 2319. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169362

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Africa; Eastern Africa; Agricultural Production; Gender; Natural Resources; Nature-based Solutions; Smallholders; Sustainability

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Project

Nature-Positive Solutions

Record type

Working Paper

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Report

Nature-Positive Solutions Initiative survey report: Colombia

2024Lopera, Diana Carolina; Ordoñez, Juan Camilo; Azzarri, Carlo; Davis, Kristin E.; De Falcis, Eleonora
Details

Nature-Positive Solutions Initiative survey report: Colombia

This study is part of the CGIAR Research Initiative on Nature-Positive Solutions for shifting agrifood systems to more resilient and sustainable pathways” (NATURE+), which aims to promote sustainable agricultural productivity through nature-positive solutions (NPS) by addressing three critical challenges: Land Degradation: Industrial agriculture, while ensuring large-scale food production, has caused severe environmental harm, including 80% of global deforestation, threats to 86% of endangered species, significant biodiversity loss, and up to 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It also depletes water and soil health, reducing crop resilience and lowering farming incomes and nutrition outcomes. To mitigate these impacts, a shift toward resilient farming systems that support smallholder farmers and enhance agriculture’s role as a positive force for nature is essential. Limited Evidence and Knowledge to Support NPS: Awareness of the environmental costs of industrial agriculture has highlighted the need for sustainable farming practices, especially after the 2021 UN Food System Summit and the COVID-19 pandemic. NPS has significant potential, including creating 395 million jobs by 2030 (as per the 2020 World Economic Forum). However, gaps in evidence and tools for decision-making hinder scaling efforts. Research in biodiversity, soil health, and waste management is crucial to develop scalable innovations and support agricultural research for community development. Lack of Business Models for Public-Private Partnerships: The private sector plays a vital role in scaling impact oriented solutions, requiring supportive policies and incentives to encourage investments in sustainable pathways. Developing business models that combine scientific innovation with ecological, social, and livelihood benefits is necessary to foster collaboration and drive smallholder farming toward nature-positive practices.

Year published

2024

Authors

Lopera, Diana Carolina; Ordoñez, Juan Camilo; Azzarri, Carlo; Davis, Kristin E.; De Falcis, Eleonora

Citation

Lopera, Diana Carolina; Ordoñez, Juan Camilo; Azzarri, Carlo; Davis, Kristin E.; and De Falcis, Eleonora. 2024. Nature-Positive Solutions Initiative survey report: Colombia. Washington, DC and Rome, Italy: International Food Policy Research Institute and Alliance Bioversity and CIAT. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/172753

Country/Region

Colombia

Keywords

Americas; South America; Agrifood Systems; Sustainable Agriculture; Land Degradation; Surveys; Policies

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Project

Nature-Positive Solutions

Record type

Report

Blogs

Developing Local Extension Capacity (DLEC) project: Finding more effective ways to deliver vital information and innovation to farmers
IFPRI Blog
 | 
December 19, 2023

Developing Local Extension Capacity (DLEC) project: Finding more effective ways to deliver vital information and innovation to farmers

By Kristin Davis and Eleanor Jones

Helping smallholders tap new technologies.

Photo essay: Talking to farmers in Malawi to understand how to improve agricultural cooperative performance
IFPRI Blog
 | 
December 09, 2022

Photo essay: Talking to farmers in Malawi to understand how to improve agricultural cooperative performance

By Cynthia Kazembe and Kristin Davis

Focus groups and other approaches help clarify what works.

Unleashing the power of young agripreneurs
IFPRI Blog
 | 
December 06, 2022

Unleashing the power of young agripreneurs

By Steven Franzel, Kristin Davis, Johanna Gammelgaard, and John Preissing

A key to improving economic prospects in rural areas around the world.

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Events

Multidimensional digitally-enabled agricultural extension in Africa: Accelerating agricultural transformation in the face of global crises
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

August 26, 2022, 6:30 – 9:15 am

Multidimensional digitally-enabled agricultural extension in Africa: Accelerating agricultural transformation in the face of global crises

Virtual Event: August 26, 2022 – 6:30 AM to 9:15 AM EDT. This event will highlight trends, good practices, and recommendations for multidimensional, digitally-enables agricultural extension.

Tropentag 2021
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

September 14, 2021, 8:00 – 11:00 am

Tropentag 2021

SEP 14, 2021 – 08:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT. IFPRI is participating in Tropentag 2021. 

UNFSS Independent Dialogue: The Critical Role of Agricultural Extension in Advancing the 2030 Agenda: Lessons from the Field and Empirical Evidence
IFPRI Program/Country Event

 | 

August 6, 2021, 7:00 – 9:30 am

UNFSS Independent Dialogue: The Critical Role of Agricultural Extension in Advancing the 2030 Agenda: Lessons from the Field and Empirical Evidence

Virtual Event: AUG 6, 2021 – 07:00 AM to 09:30 AM EDT. The objective of this dialogue is to come to a common understanding of how extension can contribute to the SDGs and adapt to future needs. 

View all Events

News

December 12, 2023 | Press Release

Re-imagining Africa’s food security within the context of climate change and ecological sustainability

This press-release was initially published by WWF on December 12, 2023.  WWF, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, IFPRI, CGIAR, and AfDB have released a new report to help African countries to achieve food security and implement climate and nature commitments. The report is based on a joint study, executed with the technical support […]

Research

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Awards

  • Outstanding Journal Article of the Year Award, 2004, International Journal of Agricultural and Extension Education 11(1). 2004. Davis, K, Irani, T. & Payson, K. Going forward in education on agricultural biotechnology: Extension’s role internationally.
  • Outstanding Paper Presentation (2006) for the 22nd Annual Conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Clearwater Beach, Florida. Davis, K. Institutional Arrangements for Increasing the Dissemination Role of Farmer Groups in Agricultural Innovation Systems.
  • Ochieng, Cosmas, and Davis, Kristin. 2006. Bronze prize winner of the International Finance Corporation-Financial Times Research Essay Competition “Business and Development: The Private Path to Prosperity.” ICTs as Appropriate Technologies for African Development. Forthcoming in the Financial Times.
  • Second Runner-up Article of the Year for 2007. International Journal of Agricultural and Extension Education. Anandajayasekeram, P., K. Davis, and S. Workneh. 2007. Farmer Field Schools: An Alternative to Existing Extension Systems? Experience from Eastern and Southern Africa. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education 14(1): 81-93.
  • Second Runner Up, Journal Article of the Year Award for 2008. Davis, K. 2008. Extension in Sub-Saharan Africa: Overview and Assessment of Past and Current Models and Future Prospects. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education 15(3): 15—28.
  • Journal Article of the Year, 2008. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 14(1): 35-51. Davis, K., J. Ekboir and Spielman, D. J. Agricultural education and training in sub-Saharan Africa from an innovation systems perspective: A case study of Mozambique.
  • Early Achievement Award for the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education in 2009. The Early Achievement Award is presented to a member who early in their career (less than five years) has demonstrated a combination of service, leadership, and scholarly activity in international agricultural and extension education.
  • “Presidential Plaque in Recognition of Exceptional Leadership” as President of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE), 2014-2015.
  • Outstanding Achievement Award (2014). The Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education presents this award to a professional who during their career has demonstrated a combination of service, leadership, and scholarly activity.
  • Outstanding Service Award (2013). The Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education presents this award to an international agricultural and extension educator who has made meritorious service contributions beyond his or her regular employment. Other elements include peer recognition for services beyond normal expectations, dedication and personal sacrifice, and sustained effort over time.