Subscribe

Back

Who we are

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.

researcher spotlight

Kinya Kaibung’a

Kinya Kaibung’a is a Research Officer with the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has a keen interest in leveraging machine learning, AI, and other cutting-edge technologies to boost climate resilience and food security in smart agriculture systems.

Back

What we do

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

Research topics

Projects and impact

Food Security Portal

Modeling tools

What’s new

Where we work

Back

Where we work

IFPRI currently has more than 480 employees working in over 70 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

IFPRI Regional Programs

IFPRI Country and Regional Offices

Research by country and region

Subscribe
The Earth Planet

Kenya

countries and regions

Publications

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

A rapid tool for understanding how knowledge users engage with research findings in research-for-development contexts

2026Lam, Steven; Hoffmann, Vivian; Otoigo, Lilian; Hung Nguyen-Viet
Details

A rapid tool for understanding how knowledge users engage with research findings in research-for-development contexts

Promoting the use of research findings in development projects is essential but often overlooked during study design. Existing frameworks for research use tend to focus on clinical settings and offer questionable applicability to development contexts, which are typically nonlinear, dynamic and cross-sectoral. As a result, there remains a gap in tools that can capture how evidence is intended to be applied by diverse knowledge users in real-world development settings. To address this gap, and drawing on over a decade of experience implementing research-to-action strategies, our objective is to develop a simple research uptake and use tool to better understand and support the use of evidence in research-for-development. We piloted the tool immediately after or 1 month following dissemination workshops, engaging 206 participants across nine sessions in five countries – Kenya, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Malawi, and Vietnam – to gather insights on which evidence was most relevant, how participants intended to apply it and why they valued it. Although conceptualized with a focus on agriculture and global health research, this framework is broadly applicable across the wider development sector in low- and middle-income countries.

Year published

2026

Authors

Lam, Steven; Hoffmann, Vivian; Otoigo, Lilian; Hung Nguyen-Viet

Citation

Lam, S., Hoffmann, V., Otoigo, L. and Hung Nguyen-Viet. 2026. A rapid tool for understanding how knowledge users engage with research findings in research-for-development contexts. Health Research Policy and Systems 24(1): 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-026-01478-1

Country/Region

Bangladesh; Ethiopia; Kenya; Malawi; Vietnam

Keywords

Africa; Asia; Eastern Africa; Southern Africa; South-eastern Asia; Southern Asia; Development; Research; Research for Development; Frameworks; Survey Design; Research Methods

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-026-01478-1 Source record

Project

One Health

Record type

Journal Article

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Associations between hygiene practices and carcass contamination by Escherichia coli and coliforms in bovine slaughter facilities in rural Kenya

2026Otoigo, Lilian; Kiarie, Alice; Edna, Amondi Regina; Hoffmann, Vivian; Ambler, Kate; Cook, Elizabeth A.J.
Details

Associations between hygiene practices and carcass contamination by Escherichia coli and coliforms in bovine slaughter facilities in rural Kenya

Carcass contamination during slaughter poses a significant threat to meat safety and public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This cross-sectional study, conducted in 25 bovine slaughter facilities in Busia County, Kenya, assessed contamination levels at four anatomical sites on cattle carcasses: rump, flank, brisket, and neck. The study also examined the association between slaughterhouse hygiene practices and microbial contamination by Escherichia coli and coliforms. A total of 193 carcasses were sampled after carcass dressing before sectioning, and E. coli and coliform loads were quantified using MC-Media Pad®. Statistical analyses revealed that contamination levels varied significantly across carcass sampling sites for both coliforms (p = 0.008) and E. coli (p = 0.026), with the brisket showing markedly higher contamination than the rump for coliforms (median 2.15 vs 1.61 log10 CFU/cm2, p = 0.004) and E. coli (median 1.04 vs 0 log10 CFU/cm2, p = 0.020). Key risk factors for increased contamination included carcass contact with the floor, splashing water from wet floors, and visible fecal matter on animal hides. These findings highlight the need for targeted hygiene interventions during slaughter, improved infrastructure, and stronger enforcement of meat safety regulations to reduce contamination and ensure safer meat products for consumers.

Year published

2026

Authors

Otoigo, Lilian; Kiarie, Alice; Edna, Amondi Regina; Hoffmann, Vivian; Ambler, Kate; Cook, Elizabeth A.J.

Citation

Otoigo, Lilian; Kiarie, Alice; Edna, Amondi Regina; Hoffmann, Vivian; Ambler, Kate; and Cook, Elizabeth A.J. 2026. Associations between hygiene practices and carcass contamination by Escherichia coli and coliforms in bovine slaughter facilities in rural Kenya. Journal of Food Protection 89(9): 100863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2026.100863

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Eastern Africa; Hygiene; Contamination; Livestock; Bovinae; Escherichia Coli; Coliform Bacteria; Abattoirs; Rural Areas

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2026.100863 Source record

Project

One Health

Record type

Journal Article

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Collecting Holistic Evidence on Agroecology Performance to Accelerate Sustainable Food System Transitions

2026
Jones, Sarah K.; Sánchez, Andrea Cecilia; Dickens, Chris; Geck, Matthias S.; Wickramaratne, Chaturangi; Alary, Veronique; Bolo, Peter; Choruma, Dennis Junior; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Fall, Modou Gueye
…more Falconnier, Gatien; Gupta, Shweta; Kettle, Chris; Krishnan, Smitha; Nyawira, Sylvia; Orjuela-Ramirez, Guillermo; Orounladji, Boko Michel; Pareja, Piedad; Sibanda, Telma; Lamanna, Christine
Details

Collecting Holistic Evidence on Agroecology Performance to Accelerate Sustainable Food System Transitions

A growing body of research shows the potential of agroecology for enabling a shift to planet-friendly and socially just agrifood systems through context-specific transition pathways. We conduct a scoping review to identify and evaluate the potential of 42 existing agroecology adherence and/or agricultural performance assessment tools to generate credible, legitimate, salient and transferable evidence to inform these transitions. Results show that while multiple relevant tools exist, each of them can be strengthened in at least one area. While most tools are transferable (low time and resource requirements) and have legitimacy (open access with transparent methods), tools have variable saliency (holistic scope inclusive of local priorities) and credibility (use scientific design principles and quality assurance processes). For a subset of 11 tools collecting multidimensional performance data, analysis of 263 identified indicators showed there is a bias towards economic measures (notably income, yield, and resilience), while certain social (e.g. land tenure, traditional knowledge retention) and environmental (e.g. climate mitigation) aspects are regularly overlooked. Through a multidisciplinary process engaging experts across 8 countries, we develop a Holistic Localized Performance Assessment for agroecology (HOLPA) framework that integrates and builds on positive features of existing multidimensional agroecology performance assessments tools and overcomes key limitations. The HOLPA framework for analysis, agroecology indicators, key performance indicators, and low-cost localization process can be used to strengthen agroecology performance assessments, empowering landscape actors to identify evidence-based pathways towards agrifood systems where both people and nature can thrive.

Year published

2026

Authors

Jones, Sarah K.; Sánchez, Andrea Cecilia; Dickens, Chris; Geck, Matthias S.; Wickramaratne, Chaturangi; Alary, Veronique; Bolo, Peter; Choruma, Dennis Junior; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Fall, Modou Gueye; Falconnier, Gatien; Gupta, Shweta; Kettle, Chris; Krishnan, Smitha; Nyawira, Sylvia; Orjuela-Ramirez, Guillermo; Orounladji, Boko Michel; Pareja, Piedad; Sibanda, Telma; Lamanna, Christine

Citation

Jones, Sarah K., Andrea Cecilia Sánchez, Chris Dickens, et al. 2026. “Collecting Holistic Evidence on Agroecology Performance to Accelerate Sustainable Food System Transitions.” Environmental and Sustainability Indicators 31: 101374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2026.101374.

Country/Region

Burkina Faso; India; Kenya; Peru; Senegal; Tunisia; Zimbabwe

Keywords

Laos; Agroecology; Agrifood Systems; Sustainability; Indicators; Frameworks; Trade-offs

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2026.101374 Source record

Project

Agroecology

Record type

Journal Article

Datasets

Dataset

Replication Data for “Rural Credit, Food Security, and Resilience: An Empirical Evaluation from Kenya”

2025International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

Replication Data for “Rural Credit, Food Security, and Resilience: An Empirical Evaluation from Kenya”

This dataset contains replication data and code for the study “Rural Credit, Food Security, and Resilience: An Empirical Evaluation from Kenya.” The study draws on panel data from three rounds of household surveys conducted between 2017 and 2020 in Machakos County, Kenya, as part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of two credit productsRisk Contingent Credit (RCC) and standard Traditional Credit (TC). A total of 1,053 households were evenly randomized into RCC, TC, and control groups. Surveys were administered using structured, pretested questionnaires. The baseline and midline surveys were conducted through face-to-face interviews, while the endline surveydelayed due to the COVID-19 pandemicwas conducted via phone interviews. All survey waves were implemented electronically using computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) tools. Each survey wave included detailed modules on household demographics, food consumption and expenditures, access to and use of financial services, credit constraints, and experiences of shocks and coping mechanisms. The RCC intervention featured an index-based insurance component triggered by low rainfall, modeled using historical dekadal rainfall data and Monte Carlo simulations. The study employed a multistage, stratified sampling design targeting rural households across selected sub-counties, in collaboration with Equity Bank and local administrators. This dataset enables replication of the studys findings and supports further research on the role of credit product design in enhancing food security and resilience among smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions.

Year published

2025

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2025. Replication Data for “Rural Credit, Food Security, and Resilience: An Empirical Evaluation from Kenya”. Washington, DC: IFPRI [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/OBZUCX. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Eastern Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Financial Inclusion; Agricultural Credit; Insurance; Climate Change; Resilience; Food Security; Agriculture

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

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

Record type

Dataset

Dataset

FAIR-Ready Socioeconomic Data from the Nature+ Quantitative Baseline Household and Worker Survey in Kenya

2025International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

FAIR-Ready Socioeconomic Data from the Nature+ Quantitative Baseline Household and Worker Survey in Kenya

This dataset is designed to harmonize agricultural research and socioeconomic monitoring in alignment with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles. It is constructed using rigorous and standardized protocols for variable treatment and construction, explicitly developed to support interoperability and ethical data sharing. The dataset serves as a FAIR-compliant, standardized framework that provides prescriptive guidance on how each variable should be defined, processed, and documented to ensure technical interoperability while safeguarding privacy.

Year published

2025

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute. 2025. FAIR-Ready Socioeconomic Data from the Nature+ Quantitative Baseline Household and Worker Survey in Kenya. Washington, DC: IFPRI [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/IU9BJT. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Eastern Africa; Farming Systems; Agricultural Practices; Land Use; Nutrition; Poverty Alleviation; Socioeconomic Aspects; Food Security

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.7910/dvn/iu9bjt Source record

Project

Nature-Positive Solutions

Record type

Dataset

Dataset

Economic Inclusion Program Cohort 2 in Kenya: Baseline Household Survey

2025International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

Economic Inclusion Program Cohort 2 in Kenya: Baseline Household Survey

This dataset consists of household-level data collected through a baseline survey conducted between April and May 2024 for the Impact Evaluation of the Economic Inclusion Programme (EIP), Cohort 2, in Kenya. The survey covers 3,251 households across four counties, Kisumu, Makueni, Muranga, and Taita Taveta, and was implemented by the Kenyan survey firm REMIT. The EIP intervention package comprises four components: (i) monthly consumption support, (ii) asset grants to support income-generating activities, (iii) skills training paired with weekly mentoring, and (iv) the establishment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). The evaluation follows a cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) design, in which villages were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups in a 2:1 ratio, with randomization stratified at the sub-county level. The baseline household survey captures data on demographics, consumption and income, assets, financial inclusion, enterprise activities, food security, mental health, gender equity, social cohesion, and exposure to social protection programs. These data provide a detailed snapshot of household conditions prior to program implementation and enable rigorous impact evaluation, replication, and secondary research on economic inclusion, social protection, and poverty reduction in Kenya.

Year published

2025

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2025. Economic Inclusion Program Cohort 2 in Kenya: Baseline Household Survey. Washington, DC: IFPRI [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/0HCFQN. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Eastern Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Africa; Economic Integration; Financial Inclusion; Capacity Development; Gender Equity; Social Protection; Domestic Violence; Mental Health

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.7910/dvn/0hcfqn Source record

Project

Fragility, Conflict, and Migration

Record type

Dataset

Blogs

Unlocking climate finance for Kenya's women dairy farmers
Event Post
 | 
August 04, 2026

Unlocking climate finance for Kenya’s women dairy farmers

By Vartika Singh, Daniel Mulat, Kevin Kinusu, and Muzna Alvi

Moving from pilot projects to large-scale investments.

Scaling digital financial services for smallholder farmers in Kenya: A stakeholder consultation on challenges, opportunities, and action pathways
Event Post
 | 
July 23, 2026

Scaling digital financial services for smallholder farmers in Kenya: A stakeholder consultation on challenges, opportunities, and action pathways

By Berber Kramer, Esther Nzuki, Julie Ghostlaw, and Shalika Vyas

Providing reliable access to credit and insurance.

The emerging role of AI tools in smallholder finance
Issue Post
 | 
June 24, 2026

The emerging role of AI tools in smallholder finance

By Tamsin Zandstra, Berber Kramer, and Kate Ambler

Advancing a key element of food system transformation.

View all Blogs

Events

Making Food System Costs Visible: A Policy Imperative for Multifunctional Landscapes
IFPRI Program/Country Event

 | 

September 29, 2026, 9:30 – 10:30 am

Making Food System Costs Visible: A Policy Imperative for Multifunctional Landscapes

Around the world, agrifood systems generate jobs, support foreign exchange, and form the backbone of rural economies. Yet beneath this economic engine lies a quieter reality: the environmental and social burdens that never show up on balance sheets. These unpriced externalities — degraded soils, polluted water, greenhouse gas emissions, underpaid workers, and children engaged in […]

8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE)
September 22 to 25, 2026

8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE)

IFPRI is pleased to support the upcoming 8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (8th ACAE), scheduled for 22–25 September 2026 at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. ACAE is a premier continental gathering focused on advancing agricultural economics through innovation, digital transformation, and strengthened trade systems. Anchored on the theme “Smart Agriculture: Innovation, Digital Transformation, […]

IFPRI @ ICT4D Conference 2026
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

May 20 to 22, 2026

IFPRI @ ICT4D Conference 2026

IFPRI is participating in the ICT4D Conference 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 20–22, 2026, bringing together global leaders, practitioners, and innovators to explore the future of digital transformation. The ICT4D Conference is a leading global platform exploring how digital innovation and data-driven solutions can transform humanitarian relief and development. Founded in 2010 by Catholic […]

View all Events

News

June 11, 2026 | Press Release

IFPRI and AFAAS partner across four countries to test AI tools for farmer advisory services

The partners will convene national stakeholders to identify priority use cases and co-design approaches for testing AI-enabled advisory tools.

February 09, 2026 | Press Release

New IFPRI study introduces breakthrough framework to assess economic risks in developing countries

A groundbreaking approach to understanding how developing economies are affected by multiple, simultaneous shocks.

January 08, 2024 | Press Release

A new book provides a roadmap for food systems transformation in Kenya

The past few years have seen Kenya, along with many other countries, confronted with multifaceted and compounding challenges. The disruptions caused by COVID-19, high levels of food price inflation, and environmental crises, such as locust infestations and droughts, have severely tested the resilience of Kenya’s food systems and the affordability of food for its citizens. […]

View all News

Projects

RIAPA-AI

RIAPA-AI

…

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

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

…

True Value of Food

True Value of Food

…

View all Projects