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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.

researcher spotlight

Eliot Jones-Garcia

Eliot Jones-Garcia is a Senior Research Analyst with the Natural Resources and Resilience Unit based in Washington, DC. His research focuses on human-AI interaction, user-centered design, and the ethical and responsible development of AI. Eliot is currently finalizing a PhD on the digitalization of agricultural advisory services at Wageningen University & Research.

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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 600 employees working in over 80 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

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The Nature Conservancy, a non-governmental organization, is dedicated to protecting and conserving nature for people today and for future generations to come. The Nature Conservancy is a leader in conservation and is working to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Nature Conservancy seeks to address and correct unsustainable agricultural practices, while at the same time supporting improvements in soil health, habitat conservation and resource efficiency.

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Publications

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Journal Article

Empowerment unveiled: Gender dynamics and the impact of nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions among ethnic minority groups in northern Vietnam

2026Nguyen Thi, Lan Thuy; van den Berg, Marrit; Stomph, TjeerdJan; Nabuuma, Deborah; Kramer, Berber
Details

Empowerment unveiled: Gender dynamics and the impact of nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions among ethnic minority groups in northern Vietnam

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are key global agendas, yet women often face marginalization compared to men. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions (NSAs) often aim to benefit women but their impacts on women’s empowerment remain unclear. This study focuses on: 1) assessing the empowerment levels of women and men from three ethnic minorities in rural northern Vietnam (Thai, H’Mong and Dao) with the Project-level women’s empowerment in agriculture index (Pro-WEAI); 2) examining the potential of NSA to improve women’s empowerment during COVID-19 pandemic; and 3) applying an intersectional lens by analyzing how empowerment and treatment effects vary by ethnic subgroups. We conducted a Randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving around 600 rural households from 36 clusters that were randomly assigned to one of the following three treatment arms: receiving agriculture and nutrition training; receiving seed provision on top of the training; and a control group. We found that both men and women experienced disempowerment, due to ethnicity and systemic ethnical marginalization. While no significant gender discrimination in resource access was found, women faced limited mobility, overburdened workload and diminished agencies. Empowerment experiences varied across ethnicities. The NSAs improved women’s mobility and group membership, yet carried different implications across ethnicities, potentially due to the interaction between the intervention, initial contextual conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, NSAs alone cannot achieve structural empowerment. Meaningful and lasting empowerment requires integrated approaches that address interconnected social, political, and cultural factors.

Year published

2026

Authors

Nguyen Thi, Lan Thuy; van den Berg, Marrit; Stomph, TjeerdJan; Nabuuma, Deborah; Kramer, Berber

Citation

Nguyen Thi, L.T.; van den Berg, M.; Stomph, T.; Nabuuma, D.; Kramer, B. (2025) Empowerment unveiled: Gender dynamics and the impact of nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions among ethnic minority groups in northern Vietnam. Journal of Rural Studies 122: 103948. ISSN: 0743-0167

Keywords

The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; Asia; South-eastern Asia; Agriculture; Agricultura; Gender Equity; Equidad De Género; Igualdad Social; Families; Social Equality; Agencies; Relación Intrafamiliar

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2025.103948 Source record

Project

Market Intelligence

Record type

Journal Article

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Journal Article

Using best-worst scaling to inform agroecological interventions in Western Kenya

2026Zander, Kerstin K.; Drucker, Adam G.; Aluso, Lillian; Mengistu, Dejene K.; Fadda, Carlo; Termote, Céline; Davis, Kristin E.
Details

Using best-worst scaling to inform agroecological interventions in Western Kenya

Both the demand for food and the environmental impacts of food production are estimated to significantly increase by 2050. Agroecological interventions have proven effective in facilitating the transition from current food production systems to more sustainable ones. These interventions can not only ensure more equitable food and nutritional security but also address poverty and reduce environmental impacts. As such, agroecological interventions can generate both private and public ecosystem services. Farmers play a key role in how food is produced, as the practices they use are linked with their preferences and expertise, as well as the constraints they face. Understanding farmers’ preferences for the adoption of different agroecological practices and their perceptions of the associated costs and benefits is critical to informing policies that can effectively support farmers in transitioning to more sustainable practices, including those that contribute to the generation of ecosystem services highly valued by broader society. To assess such preferences, we conducted a survey among farmers in Western Kenya which included a best-worst scaling experiment augmented by qualitative questions about the reasons for farmers’ views about the importance of the benefits arising from agroecological practices. Results show that farmers have strong preferences for adopting agroecological practices that generate private goods and are directly related to increasing productivity and food security, including improving health of household members. These may also include practices that have some public good elements as well, such as increasing agrobiodiversity. However, practices that generate broader public good benefits, including improved forest quality/coverage, reduced off-farm environmental impacts, greater community-level resilience to shocks, and improved landscape and wildlife management, were less important to farmers. Such findings can be used to inform policies that support farmer adoption of agroecological interventions best suited to different farming communities, as well as indicating the need for additional types of market-based incentives, such as through Payments for Ecosystem Service mechanisms.

Year published

2026

Authors

Zander, Kerstin K.; Drucker, Adam G.; Aluso, Lillian; Mengistu, Dejene K.; Fadda, Carlo; Termote, Céline; Davis, Kristin E.

Citation

Zander, Kerstin K.; Drucker, Adam G.; Drucker, Adam G.; Aluso, Lillian; Mengistu, Dejene K.; Fadda, Carlo; Termote, Céline; and Davis, Kristin. Using best-worst scaling to inform agroecological interventions in Western Kenya. Environment, Development and Sustainability. Article in press. First published online on June 28, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05173-5

Country/Region

Kenya

Keywords

Africa; Eastern Africa; Agroecology; Sustainability; Farmers; Poverty; Farmers’ Attitudes; Ecosystem Services

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05173-5 Source record

Project

Nature-Positive Solutions

Record type

Journal Article

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Journal Article

Youth in relation to agroecology: practices, promises, and perceptions in five countries

2026Rietveld, Anne; Guettou Djurfeldt, Nadia; Shijagurumayum, Meghajit; Gupta, Shweta; Tristán Febres, Maria Claudia; Chimonyo, Vimbayi Grace Petrova; Nehring, Ryan; Murugani, Vongai Gillian; Idoudi, Zied; Singh, Sonali
Details

Youth in relation to agroecology: practices, promises, and perceptions in five countries

In the context of rising youth populations in many low- and middle-income countries, coupled with high youth unemployment and aging farmer populations, this paper asks in what ways agroecology, as a sustainable alternative to the conventional agricultural practices and paradigm, attracts youth to farming and rural-based livelihoods. We draw on empirical data from semi-structured interviews and photovoice conducted with young women and men in five countries: Kenya, India, Peru, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe. In our discussion, we highlight which dimensions and aspects of agroecology resonate with youth and why.

Year published

2026

Authors

Rietveld, Anne; Guettou Djurfeldt, Nadia; Shijagurumayum, Meghajit; Gupta, Shweta; Tristán Febres, Maria Claudia; Chimonyo, Vimbayi Grace Petrova; Nehring, Ryan; Murugani, Vongai Gillian; Idoudi, Zied; Singh, Sonali

Citation

Rietveld, A., Guettou-Djurfeldt, N., Shijagurumayum, M., Gupta, S., Tristán, M., Chimonyo, V., Nehring, R., Murugani, V., Idoudi, Z., & Singh, S. (2025). Youth in relation to agroecology: practices, promises, and perceptions in five countries. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 1-34. Article in press. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2025.2573791

Country/Region

Kenya; India; Peru; Tunisia; Zimbabwe

Keywords

Eastern Africa; Southern Asia; Latin America; Northern Africa; Southern Africa; Rural Youth; Agroecology; Agriculture; Rural Development; Labour; Livelihoods

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-NC-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2025.2573791 Source record

Project

Agroecology

Record type

Journal Article

Events

Virtual Event - COVID-19: The role of the agriculture-ecosystem health interface
IFPRI Policy Seminar

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August 18, 2020, 9:30 – 11:00 am

Virtual Event – COVID-19: The role of the agriculture-ecosystem health interface

Presenters discuss possible cross-sectoral policies and actions for enhancing human and ecosystem health, with a focus on the role of One CGIAR. WATCH VIDEO

Bigger Change Faster: Integrated Development, Health, and Environment Actions for a Sustainable Future
IFPRI Policy Seminar

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October 23, 2019, 12:15 – 1:45 pm

Bigger Change Faster: Integrated Development, Health, and Environment Actions for a Sustainable Future

From climate change to malnutrition, poverty to biodiversity loss, air pollution to humanitarian crises—the problems facing our world today are deeply interconnected. Holistic initiatives to address these challenges, notably the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are becoming more common. But efforts siloed within the development, health, or environment communities remain the norm. This seminar discusses the […]

Blogs

Earth Day 2023: Empowering local communities as stewards of Earth’s freshwater resources
Issue Post
 | 
April 21, 2023

Earth Day 2023: Empowering local communities as stewards of Earth’s freshwater resources

By Wei Zhang and Ruth Meinzen-Dick

Advantages of Community-Based Conservation.

World Water Day 2021: How can we manage better what we value most?
Issue Post
 | 
March 22, 2021

World Water Day 2021: How can we manage better what we value most?

By Claudia Ringler and Ruth Meinzen-Dick

What we really mean when we talk about water’s value.