Food & Business Research Synthesis Study

On 9 and 10 December, the Food & Business Research Final Conference “Scaling Insights for Sustainable Food Systems” took place online with participants from all over the world. The conference was organized by NWO-WOTRO and the Food & Business Knowledge Platform to enlarge the impact of the 75 Food & Business Research projects (Applied Research Fund and Global Challenges Programme), bring together insights and outcomes, and discuss implications for future Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) (research) programmes. »

On December 9 and 10, 2020, NWO-WOTRO and the Food & Business Knowledge Platform organise the final Food & Business Research Conference. This conference will enlarge the impact of all research results by bringing together project-level insights and outcomes, in order to identify commonalities and create coherence. »

Is it high time for a shake-up of the global food system? The output of the the 75 GCP and ARF research projects on food and nutrition security consists of insights about, for instance, the role of indigenous and local foods when confronted with fragility of global value chains due to acute shocks like COVID-19. Or innovations for circular and climate smart agriculture in response to the long-term crisis that climate change is. »

This third Outcomes Paper of the F&BR Synthesis Study assesses the outcomes delivered by thirteen Food & Business Research (F&BR) projects in terms of increased food production by and for farming communities in seven African and two Asian countries. Smallholders play a vital role in contributing to food and nutrition security. Ironically, smallholders and their families are themselves among the poorest and most food insecure people in the global South. »

This second Outcomes Paper of the F&BR Synthesis Study assesses the outcomes delivered by sixteen Food & Business Research (F&BR) projects for both policy formulation and implementation of FNS policies by government and non-profit agencies. The design of food security policies can be influenced by knowledge and research. A better understanding derived from research, can help policymakers and practitioners reconsider or adjust their policy priorities, strategies and viewpoints. »

This first Outcomes Paper of the F&BR Synthesis Study presents the findings from fourteen interdisciplinary research projects on two outcome areas: firstly, innovations for agricultural production and processing that intend to meet (existing or anticipated) needs of poor and marginalised producers and consumers in LMICs; and secondly, new approaches or strategies to connect marginalised producers to the market. »

This fourth Thematic Paper of the F&BR Synthesis Study discusses Research for Development insights and innovations regarding smallholder farmers. The paper stresses that differences among smallholders have significant implications and require an integrated approach from donors, governments and development agencies. Any such approach should be rigorously monitored on process and results to enable adaptive programming and learning. »

How can business models be profitable and benefit low income populations, aim to address societal problems, including poverty and food and nutrition insecurity, and promote sustainable livelihoods? This is the key question explored in the third Thematic Paper of the F&BR Synthesis Study that has recently been produced discussing Research for Development insights and innovations regarding these business models, commonly referred to as Inclusive Business models. »

What is the potential of local and indigenous foods to contribute to food and nutrition security, as well as economic empowerment, of poor and marginalised farmers and consumers in Sub Saharan Africa? This is the key question explored in the second Thematic Paper of the F&BR Synthesis Study that has recently been produced discussing Research for Development insights and innovations regarding these foods. »

In 2020 a synthesis study of the GCP and ARF projects under the Food & Business Research programme is executed. This first Thematic Paper of the F&BR Synthesis Study discusses Research for Development insights and innovations regarding three principles of Circular Agriculture: (1) preserving and enhancing natural resources, (2) efficient use of resources, and (3) multi-purpose use and recovering value from waste. »