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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.

researcher spotlight

Timothy Thomas

Timothy Thomas is a Senior Research Fellow in the Foresight and Policy Modeling Unit. His research focuses on the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity. Tim’s work involves developing innovative methods for simulated climate futures and model coordination between climate, crop, water, energy, and economics.

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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 480 employees working in over 70 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

IFPRI Regional Programs

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Research by country and region

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The Earth Planet

Africa

countries and regions

Publications

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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

Livestock systems are central to food security, rural development and economic growth across the Global South. In Africa, where livestock systems contribute up to 40% of agricultural GDP, climate change increasingly threatens the productivity and incomes of smallholder farmers and pastoralists. Moreover, livestock production also generates approximately 12% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—primarily methane, a highly potent GHG that is about 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat over a 20-year period. Notably, G20 countries account for more than 50% of global livestock emissions.

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. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176489

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

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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

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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

Blogs

Making evidence matter: What four decades of IFPRI engagement in Nigeria teach about policy influence
Research Post
 | 
September 24, 2026

Making evidence matter: What four decades of IFPRI engagement in Nigeria teach about policy influence

By Tamsin Zandstra and Hashim Ahmed

Aiding agricultural transformation.

El Niño and rising fertilizer costs: How vulnerable is Malawi in 2027?
Issue Post
 | 
September 11, 2026

El Niño and rising fertilizer costs: How vulnerable is Malawi in 2027?

By Chris Hillbruner, Karl Pauw, and Weston Anderson

Impacts of overlapping shocks.

Beyond the violence: How farmer-herder conflict is reshaping rural livelihoods in the Sahel 
Research Post
 | 
September 08, 2026

Beyond the violence: How farmer-herder conflict is reshaping rural livelihoods in the Sahel 

By Katrina Kosec, Lucia Carrillo, Jordan Kyle, and Jeffrey Bloem

Shifting behavior and economic attitudes.

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Events

8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE)
IFPRI at External Event

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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, […]

Global Agrifood Systems Outlook to 2050: Informing Decisions for an Uncertain Future
IFPRI Policy Seminar

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September 10, 2026, 9:30 – 11:00 am

Global Agrifood Systems Outlook to 2050: Informing Decisions for an Uncertain Future

Around the world, agrifood systems are changing rapidly as populations grow, incomes rise, technological innovations emerge, and the climate shifts. But how will these systems continue to evolve over the next 25 years? Anticipating and preparing for change requires us to learn from the past and anticipate future dynamics. While near-term forecasts and medium-term outlooks […]

Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2026
IFPRI at External Event

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August 31 to September 4, 2026

Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2026

The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) will host its 20th Annual Summit in Kigali, Rwanda from 31 August to 4 September 2026, under the theme “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.” The Summit will bring together stakeholders from across the agri-food sector for a programme of plenary sessions, technical discussions, […]

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News

September 25, 2026 | Press Release

Steven Were Omamo elected President of the African Association of Agricultural Economists

Omamo was elected during the 8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE), taking place September 22–25 in Nairobi, Kenya.

September 15, 2026 | In the News

Why measuring youth opportunity in Africa’s agrifood systems is essential for growing quality jobs (The Standard)

The Youth in Agrifood Systems Performance Index (YAPI), launched by the African Union with support from partners including AGRA and IFPRI, offers a continental policy instrument for assessing whether young people are being included, empowered, and enabled across agrifood systems.

June 23, 2026 | Press Release

IFPRI launches Africa Strategy to advance evidence-based agrifood systems transformation

New strategy deepens partnerships with African institutions to strengthen implementation, policy capability, and impact across agrifood systems.

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Projects

Soil Health and Gender

Soil Health and Gender

IFPRI’s Research Initiative on Closing the Gender and Youth Gap for Healthier Soils develops evidence on how empowering women and youth can improve soil health……

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……

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