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Who we are

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.

Erick Boy

Erick Boy

Erick Boy is the Chief Nutritionist in the HarvestPlus section of the Innovation Policy and Scaling Unit. As head of nutrition for the HarvestPlus Program since 2008, he has led research that has generated scientific evidence on biofortified staple crops as efficacious and effective interventions to help address iron, vitamin A, and zinc deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

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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.

Where we work

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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.

Food Policy: Lessons and Priorities for a Changing World

2025 Global Food Policy Report

Over the past 50 years, the world’s food systems have changed dramatically. Throughout, policy research has played a crucial role in providing evidence and analysis to inform decision-making that supports agricultural growth, better livelihoods, and improved food security and nutrition. The 2025 Global Food Policy Report examines the evolution and impact of food policy research and assesses how it can better equip policymakers to meet future challenges and opportunities.

Foreword

Since IFPRI’s founding in 1975, its work has emphasized the importance of an enabling policy environment for agricultural growth, better livelihoods, and improved food security, nutrition, and well-being for all. The central role of policy in shaping our agrifood systems is now widely recognized, with the Institute’s role serving as a continued testament to the importance of policy research.

… read more

As an independent organization and CGIAR Center, IFPRI’s work has often led the way in addressing changing contexts, emerging trends, and new crises, and its interdisciplinary work has contributed to growing recognition of the complexity and interconnected nature of food, health, social, and environmental systems.

This year’s Global Food Policy Report chronicles IFPRI’s impressive history of identifying, evaluating, and promoting understanding of food policies that improve lives in low- and middle-income countries.

In this time of rapid and sometimes dramatic global change, this report also looks to the future, considering which trends and policy needs will be most pressing and how food policy research can best contribute to a better world.

On this milestone anniversary, we invite you to read this informative report, both to understand how food policy has advanced over the last half-century and to consider how research can contribute to a better future for people everywhere.

Pascal Lamy, Chair, IFPRI Board of Trustees
Lindiwe Sibanda, Chair, CGIAR Integrated Partnership Board

Table of contents

Written by leading IFPRI researchers and colleagues, the report’s six sections explore a broad range of food systems research, from agrifood system development, sustainability and natural resources, and policy to transform lives and livelihoods, to macro-level factors such as trade and governance, as well as regional developments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Section I Pathways to Progress

Chapter 1 Food Policy Research in Low- and Middle-Income Economies: Past, Present, and Future

By Christopher B. Barrett, Maria DiGiovanni, and Johan Swinnen

Food policy research can help empower consumers, producers, and policymakers to address food systems challenges and make decisions that facilitate healthy, equitable, resilient and sustainable food systems transformation. Lessons from the past 50 years of food policy can better prepare us to move forward to 2050: achieving sustainable and equitable solutions to hunger, malnutrition, and poverty will require a shift in how we study, implement, and evaluate innovations in technologies, programming, governance, investments, and markets. This chapter provides an overview of the thematic chapters of the 2025 Global Food Policy Report, which look at the impact of food policy research on agrifood transformation, sustainability, support to farmers, lives and livelihoods, and governance of food systems, and point to future challenges and opportunities.

Chapter 2 Impact: Assessing the Outcomes of IFPRI’s Research

Chapter 3 Agrifood Systems: Transformation, Structural Change, and Development

Section II Sustainability and Natural Resources

Chapter 4 Climate Change: Understanding Impacts on Agrifood Systems and Evaluating Policy Options

By Mark W. Rosegrant, Elizabeth Bryan, Tim S. Thomas, and Keith Wiebe

Climate change is a major challenge of our time, with global and far-reaching effects on and from agriculture and food systems. This chapter reviews the evolution of research on climate change, food security, and food systems, reflecting on IFPRI’s major contributions to understanding and modeling climate change impacts and identifying promising policies and investments for mitigation and adaptation.

Chapter 5 Environmental Sustainability: The Intersection of Agrifood Systems with Ecosystem Health

Chapter 6 Tenure: Policy Research on Resources, Rights, and Equity

Chapter 7 Food Value Chains: Transformations in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Section III Supporting Farmers

Chapter 8 Agricultural Extension Services: From Transfer of Technology to Facilitation for Innovation

By Kristin Davis, Rikin Gandhi, Jawoo Koo, Berber Kramer, Alesha Miller, Jona Repishti, David Spielman, and Rasheed Sulaiman V.

Agricultural extension and rural advisory services play a key role in the agrifood systems of many low- and middle-income countries by supporting farmers’ efforts to enhance productivity, strengthen resilience to shocks, and conserve the natural resource base on which these systems depend. This chapter applies IFPRI’s “best fit” conceptual framework to examine the global evolution of agricultural extension and rural advisory services over the past 50 years, as well as the shift from a “transfer of technology” approach to a more sophisticated “facilitation for innovation” paradigm.

Chapter 9 Quality Seeds, Improved Varieties: The Economics of Crop Genetic Improvement and Farmer Uptake

Chapter 10 Agricultural Insurance: Policies and Programs for Reducing Farmer Risk

Section IV Transforming Lives and Livelihoods

Chapter 11 Social Protection Programs: Building the Evidence

By Daniel O. Gilligan, Akhter Ahmed, Harold Alderman, Alan de Brauw, Melissa Hidrobo, Kalle Hirvonen, John Hoddinott, Jessica Leight, Shalini Roy, and Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse

Social protection programs to reduce poverty, food insecurity, and vulnerability in low- and middle-income countries have become increasingly prominent over the last 50 years. This chapter examines trends in the development of social protection programs and discusses the contribution of research to changing program approaches and social protection policies, highlighting IFPRI’s role in providing evidence and research.

Chapter 12 Nutrition and Diets: Research and Action, Looking Back to Move Forward

Chapter 13 Fragility and Conflict: Addressing Crises and Building Resilient Food Systems

Chapter 14 Gender Research: Metrics and Policies for Greater Equity and Inclusion

Section V Effecting Change

Chapter 15 Political Economy and Governance: Agriculture and Food Policy from Local to Global

By Jordan Kyle and Danielle Resnick with Jonathan Mockshell

Policymaking is shaped by evidence as well as by political economy and governance factors such as incentives, institutional structures, ideological biases, and power dynamics. Over the past several decades, these factors have intersected with significant trends affecting the international development policy landscape, with important implications for agriculture and food policy. This chapter examines the key areas of decentralization, agriculture and food policy reform processes, political economy of distribution, and state capacity, before looking ahead to the need to build effective and legitimate global institutions for food systems governance.

Chapter 16 Agrifood Trade: Changing Challenges, Changing Perspectives on Policy and Policy Research
Chapter 17 Agricultural Innovation Policies: Prioritizing Investments and Promoting Uptake and Impacts at Scale
Chapter 18 Financing: From Supporting Agricultural Production to Transforming Food Systems

Section VI Regional Developments and Priorities

Chapter 19 Africa

By John Ulimwengu, Steven Were Omamo, Ousmane Badiane, and Sam Benin

Africa’s food systems have undergone significant transformations over the past four decades, with notable improvements in agricultural productivity and food security, but persistent challenges remain. This chapter examines how Africa’s agrifood policy landscape has evolved over time in response to complex challenges, including food insecurity, climate change, and socioeconomic disparities. It explores how IFPRI and other international organizations have offered research-based solutions to Africa’s development challenges, as well as underscoring the necessity of systemic, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches to address the agrifood system challenges projected for 2050.

Chapter 20 Central Asia
Chapter 21 South Asia
Chapter 22 East and Southeast Asia
Chapter 23 Latin America and the Caribbean
Chapter 24 Middle East and North Africa

Events


Press Releases and Media Mentions

Social Media Toolkit

Explore our 2025 Global Food Policy Report social media toolkit. This social media toolkit includes multiple options for messaging for various social media platforms, as well as social media images.

Hashtags: #GFPR2025 #IFPRI50 

Past Reports

Book

Global food policy report 2024: Food systems for healthy diets and nutrition

2024International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

Global food policy report 2024: Food systems for healthy diets and nutrition

Food systems and diets underpin many critical challenges to public health and environmental sustainability, including malnutrition, noncommunicable diseases, and climate change, but sustainable healthy diets have the unique potential to reshape the future for both human and planetary well-being. The 2024 Global Food Policy Report draws on recent evidence to examine the role of food systems in driving nutrition outcomes and opportunities for transforming food systems to ensure healthy diets for all. Chapters by IFPRI researchers and partners evaluate proven and innovative ways to sustainably improve diet quality and reduce malnutrition, including ways to make healthy diets more affordable, accessible, and desirable, how to improve food environments, the role of both agricultural crops and animal-source foods, and governance for better diets and nutrition, all with a major focus on the most vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. Regional sections explore the diverse challenges countries face and promising policy responses for transforming food systems for sustainable healthy diets. For information on the launch event, go to https://www.ifpri.org/event/improving-diets-and-nutrition-through-food-systems-what-will-it-take

Year published

2024

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute. 2024. Global food policy report 2024: Food systems for healthy diets and nutrition. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/141760

Keywords

Food Systems; Healthy Diets; Nutrition

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Record type

Book

Book

Global food policy report 2023: Rethinking food crisis responses

2023International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

Global food policy report 2023: Rethinking food crisis responses

This decade has been marked by multiple, often overlapping, crises. The COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and the ongoing war in Ukraine have all threatened the fabric of our global food systems. But opportunities can be found amid crises, and the world’s food systems have demonstrated surprising resilience. With new evidence on what works, now is the time to rethink how we address food crises. Better prediction, preparation, and resilience building can make future crises less common and less devastating, and improved responses can contribute to greater food security, better nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods. This record also includes the following synopsis translated into Arabic, Chinese, French, and Spanish: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2023. Global food policy report 2023: Rethinking food crisis responses: Synopsis. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294431 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2023. Global food policy report 2023: Rethinking food crisis responses: Synopsis [in Arabic]. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294462 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2023. Global food policy report 2023: Rethinking food crisis responses: Synopsis [in Chinese]. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294455 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2023. Rapport 2023 sur les politiques alimentaires mondiales: Repenser les réponses aux crises alimentaires. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294448 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2023. Informe de políticas alimentarias mundiales 2023: Repensar las respuestas a las crisis alimentarias. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294486

Year published

2023

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2023. Global food policy report 2023: Rethinking food crisis responses. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294417

Keywords

Agriculture; Development; Food Security; Hunger; Policies; Resilience

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Record type

Book

Book

2022 Global food policy report: Climate change and food systems

2022International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

2022 Global food policy report: Climate change and food systems

Climate change threatens our food systems and the multiple development goals linked to sustainable food system transformation. Action is urgently needed, both to increase adaptation and resilience and to achieve major emissions reductions. Current efforts must be stepped up and greatly expanded to ensure food security, nutrition, and well-being for all in the years to come. The 2022 Global Food Policy Report showcases opportunities for accelerating innovation, reforming policies, resetting market incentives, and increasing financing for sustainable food systems transformation, as well as promoting healthy diets and building resilience. This record also includes the following synopsis, translated into Arabic, Chinese, and French: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2022. 2022 Global food policy report: Climate change and food systems: Synopsis. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294271 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2022. 2022 Global food policy report: Climate change and food systems: Synopsis [in Chinese]. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294295 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2022. 2022 Global food policy report: Climate change and food systems: Synopsis [in Arabic]. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294301 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2022. Rapport 2022 sur les politiques alimentaires mondiales: Changement climatique et systèmes alimentaires. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294288

Year published

2022

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2022. 2022 Global food policy report: Climate change and food systems. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294257

Keywords

Climate Change; Food Systems; Nutrition; Food Security; Climate Change Mitigation; Trade; Social Protection; Governance; Diet; Resilience; Healthy Diets; Innovation; Value Chains; Finance; Research; Data; Technology; Policies; Covid-19

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Record type

Book

Book

2021 Global food policy report: Transforming food systems after COVID-19

2021International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

2021 Global food policy report: Transforming food systems after COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has upended local, national, and global food systems, and put the Sustainable Development Goals further out of reach. But lessons from the world’s response to the pandemic can help address future shocks and contribute to food system change. In the 2021 Global Food Policy Report, IFPRI researchers and other food policy experts explore the impacts of the pandemic and government policy responses, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged, and consider what this means for transforming our food systems to be healthy, resilient, efficient, sustainable, and inclusive. Chapters in the report look at balancing health and economic policies, promoting healthy diets and nutrition, strengthening social protection policies and inclusion, integrating natural resource protection into food sector policies, and enhancing the contribution of the private sector. Regional sections look at the diverse experiences around the world, and a special section on finance looks at innovative ways of funding food system transformation. Critical questions addressed include: – Who felt the greatest impact from falling incomes and food system disruptions caused by the pandemic? – How can countries find an effective balance among health, economic, and social policies in the face of crisis? – How did lockdowns affect diet quality and quantity in rural and urban areas? – Do national social protection systems such as cash transfers have the capacity to protect poor and vulnerable groups in a global crisis? – Can better integration of agricultural and ecosystem polices help prevent the next pandemic? – How did companies accelerate ongoing trends in digitalization and integration to keep food supply chains moving? – What different challenges did the pandemic spark in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and how did these regions respond? This record includes the following synopsis and translations: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2021. 2021 Global food policy report: Transforming food systems after COVID-19: Synopsis. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294011 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2021. 2021 Global food policy report: Transforming food systems after COVID-19: Synopsis [in Arabic]. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896293854 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2021. 2021 Global food policy report: Transforming food systems after COVID-19: Synopsis [in Chinese]. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294035 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2021. Rapport 2021 sur les politiques alimentaires mondiales: transformer les systèmes alimentaires après la COVID-19: Synopsis. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294028 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2021. 2021 Global food policy report: Transforming food systems after COVID-19: Synopsis [in Russian]. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294103 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2021. Informe 2021 de políticas alimentarias mundiales: transformar los sistemas alimentarios después de la COVID-19: Sinopsis. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294134

Year published

2021

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2021. 2021 Global food policy report: Transforming food systems after COVID-19. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896293991

Keywords

Food Systems; Covid-19; Sustainable Development Goals; Pandemics; Policies; Diet; Nutrition; Rural Areas; Urban Areas; Social Protection; Cash Transfers; Poverty; Food Supply Chains; Resilience; Shock; Health; Natural Resources; Environment; Governance; Gender; Innovation; Supply Chains; Food Policies; Food Security; Health Foods; Decision Making; Refugees

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Record type

Book