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

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Publications

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Journal Article

Changes in height-for-age of Egyptian children from 1995 to 2014: Implications for improving child health outcomes

2026Hashad, Reem; Hassan, Zeinab A.
Details

Changes in height-for-age of Egyptian children from 1995 to 2014: Implications for improving child health outcomes

Background Stunting is a serious health problem in Egypt. Stunting rates and height-for-age z-score (HAZ) distributions changed notably in Egypt over time, yet the factors that led to these changes remain unknown. This study examines the factors associated with these changes and provides important considerations for designing interventions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030. Methods Leveraging data from Egypt’s Demographic and Health Survey for the years 1995, 2003, and 2014, we employ a Recentered Influence Function (RIF) approach that goes beyond the conventional way of measuring stunting as a binary indicator to examine changes across the entire HAZ distribution. The RIF decomposes changes in the HAZ distribution over time into differences attributable to changes in the levels of the determinants of nutrition (covariate effects) and in the strength of the association between these determinants and HAZ (coefficient effects). Results The stylized facts show a puzzling increase in stunting rates despite improvements in the level of the determinants of nutrition. Our RIF results attribute the change in stunting rates and other parts of the HAZ distribution primarily to changes in the association between the determinants of nutrition and HAZ (coefficient effects) rather than in the level of the determinants (covariate effects). The results also show that the determinants of nutrition could have heterogeneous impacts at different quantiles of the HAZ distribution. Conclusion To reduce stunting rates and achieve the SDG of ending malnutrition, our findings highlight the need for targeted interventions. Interventions should be geographically targeted, promote gender and income equality, improve maternal nutrition, and expand access to better sanitation facilities. This is in addition to wealth redistribution and reforming Egypt’s subsidy program to focus on nutritious food.

Year published

2026

Authors

Hashad, Reem; Hassan, Zeinab A.

Citation

Hashad, Reem; and Hassan, Zeinab A. 2026. Changes in height-for-age of Egyptian children from 1995 to 2014: Implications for improving child health outcomes. BMC Public Health 26(1): 153. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-25696-4

Country/Region

Egypt

Keywords

Africa; Northern Africa; Children; Child Health; Anthropometry; Child Stunting

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-25696-4 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

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Report

Essential commodities prices, availability, and market actors’ perceptions: August 2026

2026Rakhy, Tarig; Mohamed, Shima; Abushama, Hala; Nigus, Halefom Yigzaw; Suliman, Gotada; Siddig, Khalid
Details

Essential commodities prices, availability, and market actors’ perceptions: August 2026

This report analyzes trends in the prices, availability, and market conditions of essential commodities across Sudan in August 2026, drawing on trader surveys and market monitoring data. Prices for most food commodities, fuel, and labor continued to rise, while perceptions of commodity availability generally declined for staple foods, oilseeds, and some agricultural inputs, with substantial variation across states. The report also highlights increasing supply chain and financial constraints among merchants, persistent demand challenges, and a cautious business outlook, despite most traders expecting to continue operating under current market conditions. -Abstract generated by Copilot AI 2.2

Year published

2026

Authors

Rakhy, Tarig; Mohamed, Shima; Abushama, Hala; Nigus, Halefom Yigzaw; Suliman, Gotada; Siddig, Khalid

Citation

Rakhy, Tarig; Mohamed, Shima; Abushama, Hala; Nigus, Halefom Yigzaw; Suliman, Gotada; and Siddig, Khalid. 2026. Essential commodities prices, availability, and market actors’ perceptions: August 2026. Sudan Market Prices and Availability Report 19. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/185792

Country/Region

Sudan

Keywords

Africa; Northern Africa; Capacity Building; Markets; Commodities; Prices; Agricultural Prices

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Record type

Report

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Journal Article

Integrated hydrological and economic assessment of hydropower and irrigation development in Sudan under climate change

2026Basheer, Mohammed; Elnour, Zuhal; Pérez, Cristo Facundo; Liao, Wenxi; Siddig, Khalid; Ringler, Claudia
Details

Integrated hydrological and economic assessment of hydropower and irrigation development in Sudan under climate change

Demands for water, energy, and food are rapidly increasing in many low- and middle-income countries, driving the development of large-scale hydropower and irrigation projects. As climate change poses major risks and uncertainties for large-scale infrastructure investments, it is essential to stress-test infrastructure development plans to address these challenges and strengthen resilience. The Nile is one of the world’s longest rivers, draining approximately 10% of Africa’s land surface; Sudan accounts for around 40% of the basin area, and several new large hydropower and irrigation infrastructure projects are planned. We develop an integrated analytical framework for the Nile River system, utilizing 16 climate projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) 6 and hydrological, river system, and Computable General Equilibrium models to evaluate the biophysical and economic impacts of hydropower and irrigation development in Sudan under climate change. The results indicate a projected increase in the naturalized streamflow of the Nile by 2050 due to climate change. A phased hydropower and irrigation development strategy in Sudan – targeting a total of 1,500 MW of hydropower capacity and approximately one million hectares of irrigated wheat – is projected to increase annual hydropower generation by up to 8.1 TWh and expand total wheat area by 283% by 2050. These developments increase the undiscounted national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2030–2050 by US$ 0.1 to 0.4 billion per year, with larger increases occurring under high economic growth pathways. This research highlights the interconnected nature of climate change, water resource development, and economic performance, underscoring the importance of integrated assessment in informing investment decisions.

Year published

2026

Authors

Basheer, Mohammed; Elnour, Zuhal; Pérez, Cristo Facundo; Liao, Wenxi; Siddig, Khalid; Ringler, Claudia

Citation

Basheer, Mohammed; Elnour, Zuhal; Pérez, Cristo Facundo; Liao, Wenxi; Siddig, Khalid; and Ringler, Claudia. 2026. Integrated hydrological and economic assessment of hydropower and irrigation development in Sudan under climate change. Journal of Hydrology 679(Part A): 136135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136135

Country/Region

Sudan

Keywords

Africa; Northern Africa; Hydrology; Economic Analysis; Water Power; Irrigation; Climate Change; Transboundary Waters; Decision-making; Water; Energy; Foods

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136135 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

Blogs

How are fertilizer markets coping with the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz?
Issue Post
 | 
September 18, 2026

How are fertilizer markets coping with the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz?

By Joseph Glauber and Shawn Arita

A mixed picture for global prices and supplies.

Iran war supply chain disruptions: Impacts on India’s economy
Issue Post
 | 
June 25, 2026

Iran war supply chain disruptions: Impacts on India’s economy

By Barun Deb Pal, Anjani Kumar, Smita Sirohi, Banda Sainath, Kriti Sharma, and Praveen K.V.

An analysis shows falling GDP and incomes.

Nigeria's fuel, fertilizer, and food prices feel the strain of the Iran conflict
Issue Post
 | 
June 22, 2026

Nigeria’s fuel, fertilizer, and food prices feel the strain of the Iran conflict

By Oliver Kiptoo Kirui, Adetunji Fasoranti, Temilolu Bamiwuye, Bedru Balana, Joseph Glauber, Charlotte Hebebrand, and Steven Were Omamo

A major energy producer faces complex impacts.

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Events

Evidence for Action: Advancing Food Systems, Resilience, and Inclusive Growth in Egypt and the MENA Region
IFPRI Program/Country Event

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November 25, 2026, 9:00 – 2:00 pm

Evidence for Action: Advancing Food Systems, Resilience, and Inclusive Growth in Egypt and the MENA Region

This event is by invitation only. For questions or inquiries about attending, please contact the IFPRI Egypt office at (IFPRI-Egypt@cgiar.org). Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), food systems and livelihoods face mounting pressures from economic uncertainty, climate change, resource constraints, and conflict. In Egypt, ongoing economic reforms, food security challenges, and efforts to […]

Conflict in the Middle East: Reverberations for Food Systems
IFPRI Policy Seminar

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April 14, 2026, 9:00 – 11:00 am

Conflict in the Middle East: Reverberations for Food Systems

While the global food system has largely adjusted to the disruptions in agricultural commodities and fertilizers following the invasion of Ukraine, the new conflict in the Middle East introduces a new set of challenges at a time when markets and supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical shocks. Disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant […]

Trade disruptions and their impacts on agricultural markets: Looking back and ahead
IFPRI Policy Seminar

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January 13, 2025, 9:30 – 11:00 am

Trade disruptions and their impacts on agricultural markets: Looking back and ahead

Global agricultural markets have been in a constant state of uproar over the past 5 years. Trade wars between major trading nations such as China, US and Australia, supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine, crisis in the Middle East and export restrictions have diverted supplies, altered trading patterns, increased price volatility […]

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News

June 23, 2026 | In the News

Strait of Hormuz reopens but fertilizer markets brace for longer-term supply squeeze (Forbes Middle East)

Forbes Middle East interviewed IFPRI’s Joseph Glauber about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and what is needed to restore normal fertilizer trade flows.

May 19, 2026 | In the News

Fertilizer prices are skyrocketing. Here’s why (Think Landscape)

IFPRI’s Rob Vos is cited saying that South and Southeast Asian countries could be heavily impacted by the current fertilizer price shock.

April 15, 2026 | In the News

Devex Dish: Shock to the system (Devex)

Devex quoted Johan Swinnen, IFPRI Director General, in the April 15 edition of Devex Dish: “The war represents the third major shock for the global food system in just six years, following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. These shocks — and their frequency — highlight how important it is for countries to diversify where they […]

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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

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Gender-Sensitive Risks and Options Assessment for Decision Making (ROAD) to Support Work in Freedom Phase 2 (WiF-2)

Gender-Sensitive Risks and Options Assessment for Decision Making (ROAD) to Support Work in Freedom Phase 2 (WiF-2)

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Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI)

Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI)

…

View all Projects