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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

Eliot Jones-Garcia

Eliot Jones-Garcia is a Senior Research Analyst with the Natural Resources and Resilience Unit based in Washington, DC. His research focuses on human-AI interaction, user-centered design, and the ethical and responsible development of AI. Eliot is currently finalizing a PhD on the digitalization of agricultural advisory services at Wageningen University & Research.

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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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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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The Earth Planet

Africa

countries and regions

Publications

Resource thumbnail

Brief

Harnessing livestock for climate action and food security: A strategic opportunity for Africa and the Global South

2025Costa Junior, Ciniro; Notenbaert, An Maria Omer; Arango, Jacobo; Vos, Rob; Peters, Michael; Cramer, Laura K.; Stapleton, James
Details

Harnessing livestock for climate action and food security: A strategic opportunity for Africa and the Global South

Year published

2025

Authors

Costa Junior, Ciniro; Notenbaert, An Maria Omer; Arango, Jacobo; Vos, Rob; Peters, Michael; Cramer, Laura K.; Stapleton, James

Citation

Costa Junior, C.; Notenbaert, A.; Arango, J.; Vos, R.; Peters, M.; Cramer, L.; Stapleton, J. (2025) Harnessing livestock for climate action and food security: A strategic opportunity for Africa and the Global South. 4 p.

Country/Region

South Africa

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Southern Africa; Livestock; Food Systems; Food Security; Emission Reduction; Mitigation; Climate Action

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-NC-4.0

Source

Source record

Project

Livestock and Climate

Record type

Brief

Resource thumbnail

Book Chapter

What do we know about the future of the agrifood system in South Africa?

2025Meyer, Ferdi; Pienaar, Louw; Davids, Tracy; Kalaba, Mmatlou
Details

What do we know about the future of the agrifood system in South Africa?

South Africa’s primary agriculture sector witnessed profound productivity growth in recent decades, yet structural transformation is stalling due to a combination of sluggish nonfarm growth and persistent structural challenges that inhibit wider societal progress. Looking ahead, the agrifood system is well placed to increase the supply of goods at competitive prices but requires consistency in policymaking and an investment-friendly environment, as well as stronger domestic demand for products. Given the complexity and interconnectedness of the country’s agrifood system, future foresight research should focus on better understanding cross-sector productivity gains and how the entire system can be reoriented to support greater agricultural transformation.

Year published

2025

Authors

Meyer, Ferdi; Pienaar, Louw; Davids, Tracy; Kalaba, Mmatlou

Citation

Meyer, Ferdi; Pienaar, Louw; Davids, Tracy; and Kalaba, Mmatlou. 2025. What do we know about the future of the agrifood system in South Africa? In What do we know about the future of food systems? eds. Keith Wiebe and Elisabetta Gotor. Part Three: What Do We Know About the Future of Food Systems in Selected Countries? Chapter 27, Pp. 159-163. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175514

Country/Region

South Africa

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Southern Africa; Food Systems; Agricultural Sector; Policies; Productivity; Transformation; Economic Development; Forecasting

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Project

Foresight

Record type

Book Chapter

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

The digital readiness of agricultural advisory professionals: A South African case study

2024von Maltitz, Lindie; Van Niekerk, Johan A.; Davis, Kristin E.
Details

The digital readiness of agricultural advisory professionals: A South African case study

Agricultural advisory services link producers, the government, the research community, and credit and input supply organisations. This vital role can be enhanced through the efficient use of digital platforms, especially in South Africa, where the advisor-to-producer ratio was last recorded to be 1:1019. According to the last census conducted in South Africa, 92.1% of households own a mobile phone, and only 21.1% do not have access to the internet, providing the platform for timeous interaction between advisors and their clients. The affordability of technology and data services, network coverage, and digital literacy are obstacles in the country that need to be addressed if access to ICTs is to be improved. This article focuses on the readiness of South African agricultural advisors to use digital platforms. Survey research was used to collect data from professionals, and the data was evaluated using a survey instrument that was developed based in part on similar work done in Rwanda. The results show that although most advisors are ready to use digital platforms, many obstacles must be addressed for efficient application.

Year published

2024

Authors

von Maltitz, Lindie; Van Niekerk, Johan A.; Davis, Kristin E.

Citation

von Maltitz, Lindie; Van Niekerk, Johan A.; and Davis, Kristin E. 2024. The digital readiness of agricultural advisory professionals: A South African case study. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension 52(4): 47-65. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2024/v52n4a16851

Country/Region

South Africa

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Southern Africa; Advisory Services; Agriculture; Digital Technology

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2024/v52n4a16851 Source record

Project

Policies, Institutions, and Markets

Record type

Journal Article

Datasets

Dataset

ASTI South Africa Database

2018Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators
Details

ASTI South Africa Database

This dataset includes national-level time series data on researcher capacity by qualification level, age bracket, discipline mix, and commodity, as well as a detailed breakdown of agricultural research investment across government, higher education, nonprofit, and (where possible) private for-profit agricultural research agencies. These data were derived through a series of primary survey rounds conducted by IFPRI’s Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) and in close collaboration with a large network of national collaborators. The ASTI data constitute a powerful resource for national and regional research managers, policymakers, donor organizations, and other stakeholders. ASTI’s key indicators provide both a diagnostic tool for assessing the allocation and use of existing resources and an advocacy tool for increasing resources and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of resource use. The ASTI website offers interactive pages that allow users to access country-level time series data, make cross-country comparisons, create graphs, and download country datasets and publications as well as detailed institutional information on agencies involved in agricultural research. The interactive benchmarking tool on the ASTI website is a convenient map-based instrument allowing users to make cross-country comparisons and rankings based on a wide set of financial and human resource indicators. The detailed ASTI datasets are available in an easy-to-use data download tool. Detailed information on definitions, methodology, and calculation procedures are available at www.asti.cgiar.org

Year published

2018

Authors

Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators

Citation

Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators. 2018. ASTI South Africa Database. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://www.asti.cgiar.org/south_africa. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1. https://www.asti.cgiar.org/south_africa

Country/Region

South Africa

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Southern Africa; Agricultural Research

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-NC-3.0

Source

Source record

Project

Policies, Institutions, and Markets

Record type

Dataset

Dataset

A 2009 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) Database for South Africa

2014Human Sciences Research Council; International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

A 2009 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) Database for South Africa

This data study includes South African Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for the year 2009. The national SAM is built using official supply-use tables, national accounts, state budgets, and balance of payments, and so provides a detailed representation of the South African economy. It separates 49 activities and 85 commodities; labor is disaggregated by education level; and households by per capita expenditure deciles. Information on labor is d rawn from the 2009 Quarterly Labor Force Survey and on households from the 2005 Income and Expenditure Survey. Finally, the SAM identifies government, investment and foreign accounts. It is therefore an ideal database for conducting economywide impact assessments, including SAM-based multiplier analysis and computable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling.

Year published

2014

Authors

Human Sciences Research Council; International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

Human Sciences Research Council; International Food Policy Research Institute. 2014. A 2009 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) Database for South Africa. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/24774. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

South Africa

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Southern Africa; National Accounting; Social Accounting Matrix

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-NC-3.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.7910/dvn/24774 Source record

Project

Policies, Institutions, and Markets

Record type

Dataset

Dataset

South Africa Limpopo Basin Climate Change Adaptation Dataset

2010Ringler, Claudia; Sun, Yan
Details

South Africa Limpopo Basin Climate Change Adaptation Dataset

This household survey was conducted as part of a project aimed to provide policymakers and stakeholders in South Africa with tools to better understand, analyze, and form policy decisions to adapt to global change. The survey was conducted in the Limpopo River Basin in South Africa during 2005. A total of 794 households from 19 districts, in 5 Water Management Areas (WMAs), across 4 provinces of South Africa were sampled. The South Africa sample was designed to capture the diverse agricultural patterns in the basin area: farming strata, type of cultivation (dry land and irrigation), major and minor crops and livestock, and all the sub-catchment areas in each of the 5 WMAs. Topics covered include household roaster including background information, farm and non-farm activities, assets, basic services, disease, shocks; land ownership and land holdings; farm machinery, farm buildings, wells and pumps, and wage rates; crop production including production cost and income for seasonal crops and for perennial crops; crop water use; livestock production; access to extension, markets and credit; expenditures on food and income; and climate change and adaptation options.

Year published

2010

Authors

Ringler, Claudia; Sun, Yan

Citation

Ringler, Claudia; Sun, Yan. 2010. South Africa Limpopo Basin Climate Change Adaptation Dataset. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. http://hdl.handle.net/1902.1/17092. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

South Africa

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Southern Africa; Water Security; Food Security; Climate Change

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-NC-3.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Dataset

Blogs

Including women in commercial agriculture benefits the whole household: Evidence from Uganda
Research Post
 | 
January 30, 2026

Including women in commercial agriculture benefits the whole household: Evidence from Uganda

By Kate Ambler, Kelly Jones, and Michael O’Sullivan

Advantages of inclusivity.

Graduation from poverty in a changing and fragile world
Research Post
 | 
January 13, 2026

Graduation from poverty in a changing and fragile world

By Jeeyon Kim and Jessica Leight

Emerging frontiers for research and learning.

When milk quality pays: Evidence from an incentive experiment in Uganda
Research Post
 | 
January 09, 2026

When milk quality pays: Evidence from an incentive experiment in Uganda

By Bjorn Van Campenhout, Sarah Kariuki, Richard Ariong, Jordan Chamberlin, Benon Byarugaba, and Dennis Atuha

Making milk quality visible improves standards, but real gains require price incentives and competition on quality downstream.

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Events

Promoting Resilience through Improved Varieties, Quality Seed, and Better Seed Systems: Lessons from Nigeria
IFPRI Policy Seminar

 | 

February 11, 2026, 9:30 – 11:00 am

Promoting Resilience through Improved Varieties, Quality Seed, and Better Seed Systems: Lessons from Nigeria

Please type your questions into the chat box with name, affiliation, and country. The event video, presenter slides, and podcast will be available in the days following the event. Across sub-Saharan Africa, small-scale, resource-poor farmers are disproportionately affected by climatic and market shocks. Providing them with the tools and technologies to manage these shocks is […]

Launch of the Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM) 2025
IFPRI Program/Country Event

 | 

December 16, 2025, 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Launch of the Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM) 2025

AKADEMIYA2063 and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in partnership with AGRA, are convening a hybrid launch event to unveil and discuss the findings of the Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM) 2025. This annual publication monitors and highlights trends in African agrifood trade, including intra-African trade, the continent’s participation in global trade, insights into […]

AI and Remote Sensing for Agricultural Insights: From Satellite Imagery to Decision Support 
IFPRI Program/Country Event

 | 

November 20, 2025, 9:30 – 10:30 am

AI and Remote Sensing for Agricultural Insights: From Satellite Imagery to Decision Support 

How can advances in AI and remote sensing improve agricultural decision-making, particularly in contexts where timely, accurate data is difficult to obtain? This webinar explores the intersection of machine learning and satellite imagery, focusing on innovations that enhance monitoring, planning, and climate resilience in food systems.  Ambica Paliwal will share insights on how remote sensing […]

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News

October 06, 2025 | In the News

Agriculture Ministry and LIFAAS host generative AI workshop to strengthen extension services (Ministry of Agriculture, Liberia)

With support from IFPRI, the workshop brought together diverse stakeholders to explore how generative AI can close extension gaps and enhance the reach and impact of agricultural advisory services in Liberia.

September 03, 2025 | Press Release

Celebrating 50 Years of Impact and Informing Food Policies Across Africa

IFPRI marks its 50th anniversary with a special event at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar.

September 02, 2025 | Press Release

Launch of IFPRI’s 2025 Global Food Policy Report at Africa Food Systems Forum

IFPRI and AGRA will host a high-level Africa launch of IFPRI’s 2025 GFPR, “Food Policy: Lessons and Priorities for a Changing World,” at AFSF, highlighting linkages to the new CAADP agenda.

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Projects

School Meals and School-based Actions for People and the Planet

School Meals and School-based Actions for People and the Planet

…

Private sector-led digital agricultural extension for smallholder farmers: impact evaluation and learning study in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

Private sector-led digital agricultural extension for smallholder farmers: impact evaluation and learning study in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

IFPRI, in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) and GSMA, is leading an impact evaluation study and supporting……

Supporting ReSAKSS and CAADP

Supporting ReSAKSS and CAADP

From 2006 to 2020, IFPRI facilitated the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS) to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development……

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