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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

Danielle Resnick

Danielle Resnick is a Senior Research Fellow in the Markets, Trade, and Institutions Unit and a Non-Resident Fellow in the Global Economy and Development Program at the Brookings Institution. Her research focuses on the political economy of agricultural policy and food systems, governance, and democratization, drawing on extensive fieldwork and policy engagement across Africa and South Asia.

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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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Projects

Gender-Responsive Policies for Inclusive Agri-Food Systems in Africa

Gender-Responsive Policies for Inclusive Agri-Food Systems in Africa

Boys, girls, men, and women have various roles in global socioeconomic development. However, the norms, behaviors and responsibilities associated with being a boy, girl, man,……

Strengthening Food Systems to Promote Increased Value Chain Employment Opportunities for Youth

Strengthening Food Systems to Promote Increased Value Chain Employment Opportunities for Youth

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Publications

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Working Paper

Assessment of potato tuber quality in Kenya: Baseline quality assessment survey report

2026Geoffrey, Baragu; Boukaka, Sedi Anne; Azzarri, Carlo
Details

Assessment of potato tuber quality in Kenya: Baseline quality assessment survey report

Potato is the second most important staple crop in Kenya after maize, supporting its food security and providing livelihoods for millions in the value chain, including over 800,000 smallholder farmers. However, fragmented marketing systems, inadequate post-harvest infrastructure, and limited access to quality inputs constrain the performance of the sector and result in severe post-harvest losses. This qualitative study provides empirical analysis on potato tuber quality among 233 farmers in Nakuru and Nyandarua counties, and among traders six different main markets in Kenya. Our findings establish a baseline for potato quality at the farm-level and in major markets, tracking individual shipments to measure degradation during transit due to lack of crucial market conditions and logistical bottlenecks. Our main results reveal some important elements that need to be addressed. Overall, potato quality is compromised at the farm gate, but this initial damage is dramatically amplified post-harvest, with skin abrasions more than doubling and rotting increasing threefold as produce moves along the value chain. Critically, these losses are compounded by limited quality-based sorting and the inadequate use of storage infrastructure, with negligible adoption of cold storage. The study also demonstrates that local/traditional handling practices and poor infrastructure quality are bigger drivers of loss than transport distance. Our research concludes that most economic losses could be addressed, being the direct result of identifiable failures in infrastructure, handling, access to information, and quality governance throughout the value chain. Most aspects of which can be mitigated with digital tools. Indeed, digital tools can enhance farmer-buyer linkages, promote digital education and advisory services -also through collaboration with Farmer Service Centers, encourage cold storage via digital incentives. These recommendations position digital tools as a catalyst for transforming the potato value chain, both directly and indirectly mitigating post-harvest losses while boosting resilience and incomes.

Year published

2026

Authors

Geoffrey, Baragu; Boukaka, Sedi Anne; Azzarri, Carlo

Citation

Geoffrey, Baragu; Boukaka, Sedi Anne; and Azzarri, Carlo. 2025. Assessment of potato tuber quality in Kenya: Baseline quality assessment survey report. SFS4Youth Working Paper 13. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/181383

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Eastern Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Africa; Potatoes; Quality; Surveys; Tubers; Quality Assurance; Value Chains

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Project

Digital Innovation

Record type

Working Paper

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Brief

Synopsis: Implications of urbanization, consumer awareness, and income trends on future food supplies in Senegal

2026Marivoet, Wim
Details

Synopsis: Implications of urbanization, consumer awareness, and income trends on future food supplies in Senegal

Our food systems (FS) are unable to provide healthy diets in a just and sustainable way, an observation which prompted the United Nations Food Systems Summit to establish a consensus on the need to transform FS. This study examines potential entry points—and resulting implications—to improve Senegal’s FS following expected trends in population growth and urbanization, consumer awareness, and income growth. The study finds that total food supplies need to triple by 2040, with animal-source foods (ASF), fruits, and vegetables requiring increases of a factor of four or more. The study identifies potential strategies to increase the production of these food products while also considering their environmental impact. The study underscores the importance of socially inclusive and equitable outcomes and highlights the need for significant investments to reduce food waste in targeted subsectors.

Year published

2026

Authors

Marivoet, Wim

Citation

Marivoet, Wim. 2026. Synopsis: Implications of urbanization, consumer awareness, and income trends on future food supplies in Senegal. SFS4YOUTH Research Note 5. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/181172

Country/Region

Senegal

Keywords

Africa; Western Africa; Food Systems; Urbanization; Consumer Behaviour; Healthy Diets; Income

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Record type

Brief

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Brief

Synopsis: The changing demographics in Nigeria’s food systems and implications for future youth engagement

2025Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane; Andam, Kwaw S.; Mawia, Harriet; Popoola, Olufemi
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Synopsis: The changing demographics in Nigeria’s food systems and implications for future youth engagement

Food systems (FS) are critically important in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), where they account for a significant share of the GDP and employment. FS transformation is both strongly influenced by and strongly influences employment and job creation. This study documents FS employment in the past two decades observed in Nigeria, focusing on changes in demographic structure and inclusiveness. Key findings of the study are: FS in Nigeria are poised for significant transformation driven by demographic shifts, urbanization, income growth, and a favorable policy environment, while the conflict adversely affects this transformation. Agricultural employment declined significantly during the period, while the share of nonfarm agrifood sectors in total employment almost tripled, signaling major structural transformation. Employment in food manufacturing expanded rapidly, albeit from a lower base, with women’s share among the fastest growing. Women’s share in nonfarm agrifood system (AFS) employment tripled over the period, while youth participation quadrupled. However, Nigeria’s youth face persistent barriers. Youth unemployment is double the national rate and their labor force participation is considerably below the average rate. The nonfarm AFS employment share in Nigeria far exceeds the continental average, positioning Nigeria ahead in AFS transformation. Policy recommendations from the study include providing targeted youth training and financing for nonfarm AFS roles; closing gender gaps through resource access and supportive regulations; investing in marketing infrastructure; prioritizing recovery and job programs in conflict zones; and adopting a holistic FS approach that also engenders the active involvement of women and youth.

Year published

2025

Authors

Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane; Andam, Kwaw S.; Mawia, Harriet; Popoola, Olufemi

Citation

Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane; Andam, Kwaw S.; Mawia, Harriet; and Popoola, Olufemi. 2025. Synopsis: The changing demographics in Nigeria’s food systems and implications for future youth engagement. SFS4Youth Research Note 4. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179186

Country/Region

Nigeria

Keywords

Africa; Western Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Demographic Transition; Food Systems; Youth; Youth Employment; Employment

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Record type

Brief