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With research staff from more than 70 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

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David Spielman

David Spielman is the director of IFPRI’s Innovation Policy and Scaling Unit and has been with the institute since 2004. His research agenda covers a range of topics including agriculture and rural development policy; agricultural science, technology, and innovation; plant genetic resources and seed systems; agricultural extension and advisory services; and community-driven rural development.

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Natural Resources and Resilience

Claudia Ringler

Director, Natural Resources and Resilience (NRR)

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Claudia Ringler

Bio

Claudia Ringler is the Unit Director for Natural Resources and Resilience in the Transformation Strategies Department. She coordinates research at the intersection of nature, agriculture, and development for tangible progress toward more equitable and resilient food systems. As co-lead of the CGIAR NEXUS Gains initiative, she drives research on the role of energy in transforming food and water systems and on climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as water and other natural resource interventions for increased equity and resilience.

Claudia has more than 200 publications in the areas of water and food security and equity in climate resilience, irrigation, and energy systems, developed in collaboration with partners across Africa and Asia. In 2021, she was awarded honorary life memberships by both the International Water Resources Association and the International Association of Agricultural Economics for her lifelong contributions to the fields of water resources economics and agricultural economics, respectively.

Claudia received a PhD in agricultural economics from the Center of Development Research, University of Bonn, and an MA in international development economics from Yale University.

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Publications

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Journal Article

Impact of climate change on cost and cost efficiency of solar irrigation in Sub‐Saharan Africa

2026Xie, Hua; Ringler, Claudia
Details

Impact of climate change on cost and cost efficiency of solar irrigation in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Irrigation is widely recognized as a promising strategy for enhancing agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. To support its expansion, solar-powered irrigation systems are increasingly promoted as a sustainable alternative. However, unlike fossil fuel-based systems, the performance of solar irrigation is more sensitive to climate variability and change. This study assesses the impact of climate change on the cost and cost efficiency of stand-alone solar irrigation systems across Sub-Saharan Africa, using 15 CMIP6 climate scenarios. Our findings indicate that climate change is likely to increase investment costs and reduce the cost efficiency of solar irrigation systems compared to diesel-powered alternatives in most countries and agricultural areas of the region. Nevertheless, the expected decline in cost performance of solar irrigation systems is moderate and is likely to be offset by continued reductions in solar panel prices.

Year published

2026

Authors

Xie, Hua; Ringler, Claudia

Citation

Xie, Hua; and Ringler, Claudia. 2026. Impact of climate change on cost and cost efficiency of solar irrigation in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Earth’s Furture 14(3): e2025EF007410. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025EF007410

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Climate Change; Cost Analysis; Costs; Solar Powered Irrigation Systems; Irrigation Systems

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1029/2025ef007410 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

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Brief

What “nexus”? Towards resource nexus standardization

2026
Brouwer, Floor; Rhouma, Ali; Karthe, Daniel; Autino, Antonella; Daher, Bassel; Guenther, Edeltraud; Mohtar, Rabi; Huber-Lee, Annette; Virk, Zeeshan Tahir; Laspidou, Chrysi
…more Nagabhatla, Nidhy; Ringler, Claudia; Vrachioli, Maria; Jacobson, Michael
Details

What “nexus”? Towards resource nexus standardization

Following the Dresden Nexus Conference in 2025, which also marked its 10th anniversary, a policy brief was developed by researchers from the Nexus community. The development of the Policy Brief was led by UNU-FLORES and PRIMA. The policy brief is titled “What ‘Nexus’? Towards Resource Nexus Standardization.” The Policy Brief: 1. Proposes a new definition of the Resource Nexus; 2. Identifies key steps for the operationalization and certification of the Resource Nexus; 3. Demonstrates how a Resource Nexus framework can enhance policy coherence, manage trade-offs, and unlock synergies across sectors and scales. The brief recommends a standardization scheme for Resource Nexus projects to ensure consistency, transparency, and impact across initiatives supported by public and donor funding. Standardization of the Resource Nexus involves harmonizing core elements of project design, assessment, and implementation.

Year published

2026

Authors

Brouwer, Floor; Rhouma, Ali; Karthe, Daniel; Autino, Antonella; Daher, Bassel; Guenther, Edeltraud; Mohtar, Rabi; Huber-Lee, Annette; Virk, Zeeshan Tahir; Laspidou, Chrysi; Nagabhatla, Nidhy; Ringler, Claudia; Vrachioli, Maria; Jacobson, Michael

Citation

Brouwer, Floor; Rhouma, Ali; Karthe, Daniel; Autino, Antonella; Daher, Bassel; et al. 2026. What “nexus”? Towards resource nexus standardization. UNU-FLORES Policy Brief 1. https://unu.edu/flores/brief/what-nexus-towards-resource-nexus-standardization

Keywords

Nexus Approaches; Natural Resources; Frameworks; Policies

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Record type

Brief

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana

2026Blackmore, Ivy; ElDidi, Hagar; Obuobie, Emmanuel; Akuriba, Margaret; Zhang, Wei; Ringler, Claudia; Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.
Details

Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana

The growth of dry season farming in Ghana is putting increased pressure on groundwater resources. Using mixed methods this paper examines the learning effect of an experiential groundwater resource game in Ghana’s Upper East Region that simulates real-life resource use and common-pool resource management dilemmas. Results indicate short and medium-term learnings associated with participation in the game. During the game, group interaction and communication improved cooperation and led to more sustainable game behaviours. The gender-specific analysis indicates that females and males may learn and respond differently to the game. Males exhibited more sustainable game behaviours with increased communication and rules whereas female groups showed more learning from round to round. The positive learning effects from the game persisted 12 months after the intervention. Debriefing and focus group participants mentioned lessons learned about the depletable and shared nature of groundwater resources and the importance of communication and collective governance. Participants also described selecting water conserving crops and creating community watering schedules to manage water use. Findings highlight the important role experiential learning games can play in increasing knowledge, motivation, and agency associated with sustainable natural resource use.

Year published

2026

Authors

Blackmore, Ivy; ElDidi, Hagar; Obuobie, Emmanuel; Akuriba, Margaret; Zhang, Wei; Ringler, Claudia; Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.

Citation

Blackmore, Ivy; ElDidi, Hagar; Obuobie, Emmanuel; Akuriba, Margaret; et al. 2026. Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana. Journal of Rural Studies 122(February 2026): 103975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2025.103975

Country/Region

Ghana

Keywords

Western Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Africa; Water Management; Smallholders; Irrigation; Natural Resources Management; Experiential Learning; Groundwater; Small-scale Irrigation; Groundwater Management

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2025.103975 Source record

Project

NEXUS Gains

Record type

Journal Article

Events

Rooted in Biodiversity: Transforming Landscapes through Nature-Positive Agriculture
IFPRI Policy Seminar

 | 

March 18, 2026, 9:30 – 11:00 am

Rooted in Biodiversity: Transforming Landscapes through Nature-Positive Agriculture

Agriculture is both a major driver of biodiversity loss and a crucial part of the solution. This seminar will present research and evidence underpinning the World Bank report Rooted: Agriculture Rooted in Biodiversity, which identifies why biodiversity is key for agriculture and examines the constraints, strategies, and investment pathways needed to harness biodiversity and make […]

18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA)
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

January 14 to 17, 2026

18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA)

IFPRI’s Johan Swinnen and Claudia Ringler are participating in the 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA). The GFFA is an international conference that addresses key issues for the future of global agriculture and food policy and is held annually in Berlin, Germany during the International Green Week (IGW). The GFFA is organized by […]

Shaping Food Policy in a Changing World: Research Priorities for Greater Impact
IFPRI Policy Seminar

 | 

December 15, 2025, 9:00 – 4:00 pm

Shaping Food Policy in a Changing World: Research Priorities for Greater Impact

In today’s fast-changing world and evolving food systems, the need for evidence-based food policy has never been more urgent – demanding research that is timely, inclusive, and tailored to context. Reliable data and rigorous analysis are essential, but research must also evolve – and become more timely, more relevant, and more inclusive of diverse voices […]

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News

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.

August 29, 2025 | Press Release

IFPRI at Africa Food Systems Forum 2025

IFPRI’s delegation at AFSF 2025—including Director General and senior researchers—will participate in plenary sessions, high-level panels, side and special events as part of the wider CGIAR delegation at AFSF.

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