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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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experts

Markets, Trade, and Institutions

Brian McNamara

Program Manager

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Bio

Brian McNamara is a Program Manager in the Markets, Trade, and Institutions Unit. He assists in analyzing and managing projects related to food security, nutrition, agriculture, rural development, and poverty reduction, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. Before joining IFPRI, he researched healthcare financing at the Minnesota Department of Health and worked in Guatemala at the nonprofit Maya Health Alliance. Brian completed his master’s of public policy degree at the University of Minnesota.

Languages: English, Spanish

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Publications

Resource thumbnail

Brief

Lessons from the Digital Agricultural Advisory Services (DAAS) project in Ethiopia: Dairy use case

2025Abate, Gashaw T.; McNamara, Brian; Bonilla, Juan; Yesigat, Habtamu; Spielman, David J.
Details

Lessons from the Digital Agricultural Advisory Services (DAAS) project in Ethiopia: Dairy use case

Agricultural extension services are a cornerstone of rural development and a vital instrument for policymakers to directly shape economic, social, and environmental outcomes in rural areas. These services aim to enhance farm productivity by promoting the adoption of agricultural technologies, inputs, and management practices. Through outreach, training, knowledge sharing, and learning, extension activities help bridge the gap between research and practice, potentially supporting more resilient and productive farming systems (Davis 2008; Jack 2013).

Year published

2025

Authors

Abate, Gashaw T.; McNamara, Brian; Bonilla, Juan; Yesigat, Habtamu; Spielman, David J.

Citation

Abate, Gashaw T.; McNamara, Brian; Bonilla, Juan; Yesigat, Habtamu; and Spielman, David J. 2025. Lessons from the Digital Agricultural Advisory Services (DAAS) project in Ethiopia: Dairy use case. IFPRI Policy Note. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178948

Country/Region

Ethiopia

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Eastern Africa; Advisory Services; Dairying; Agricultural Extension

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Brief

Resource thumbnail

Brief

Lessons from the Digital Agricultural Advisory Services (DAAS) project in Ethiopia: Wheat use case

2025Abate, Gashaw T.; McNamara, Brian; Bonilla, Juan; Asrat, Daniel T.; Spielman, David J.
Details

Lessons from the Digital Agricultural Advisory Services (DAAS) project in Ethiopia: Wheat use case

Agricultural extension services are a cornerstone of rural development and a vital instrument for policymakers to directly shape economic, social, and environmental outcomes in rural areas. These services aim to enhance farm productivity by promoting the adoption of agricultural technologies, inputs, and management practices. Through outreach, training, knowledge sharing, and learning, extension activities help bridge the gap between research and practice, potentially supporting more resilient and productive farming systems (Davis 2008; Jack 2013).

Year published

2025

Authors

Abate, Gashaw T.; McNamara, Brian; Bonilla, Juan; Asrat, Daniel T.; Spielman, David J.

Citation

Abate, Gashaw T.; McNamara, Brian; Bonilla, Juan; Asrat, Daniel T.; and Spielman, David J. 2025. Lessons from the Digital Agricultural Advisory Services (DAAS) project in Ethiopia: Wheat use case. IFPRI Policy Note. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178949

Country/Region

Ethiopia

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Eastern Africa; Advisory Services; Agricultural Extension; Wheat

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Brief

Resource thumbnail

Brief

Urea super granules with deep placement

2025Ambler, Kate; Bloem, Jeffrey R.; McNamara, Brian
Details

Urea super granules with deep placement

Urea deep placement, an alternative to traditional broadcast methods, consists of applying urea super granules (USG) directly into the soil next to the root of the plant and beyond the roots of weeds. Traditionally, farmers broadcast prilled urea fertilizer on top of their plots, which is associated with high rates of nitrogen loss, leading to reduced crop yields and environmental damage, especially among rice farmers. In contrast, the use of USG deep placement better contains nitrogen in the soil, facilitating its absorption into crops and improving nitrogen use efficiency. In this way, USG can reduce nitrogen losses along with the associated economic and environmental consequences.

Year published

2025

Authors

Ambler, Kate; Bloem, Jeffrey R.; McNamara, Brian

Citation

Ambler, Kate; Bloem, Jeffrey R.; and McNamara, Brian. 2025. Urea super granules with deep placement. Climate Finance Brief 2. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178965

Keywords

Urea; Granules; Fertilizers; Deep Placement; Costs; Return on Investment

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Brief

Blogs

Mercosur Outlook launch: Charting a course for sustainable agricultural growth amid uncertainty
Event Post
 | 
October 16, 2024

Mercosur Outlook launch: Charting a course for sustainable agricultural growth amid uncertainty

By Juan Pablo Gianatiempo and Brian McNamara

Meeting challenges of the coming growing season and beyond in South America.

Síntesis de evidencia: Lineamientos para el diseño de programas crediticios agropecuarios condicionados para el fomento de prácticas agropecuarias sostenibles
Research Post
 | 
September 03, 2024

Síntesis de evidencia: Lineamientos para el diseño de programas crediticios agropecuarios condicionados para el fomento de prácticas agropecuarias sostenibles

By Daniel Eduardo Vergara Mateus, Jorge Armando Rueda Gallardo, Brian McNamara, and Valeria Piñeiro

Enfoques para el desarrollo de políticas del sistema alimentario.

Identifying guidelines for the design of conditional credit programs to promote sustainable agricultural practices in Latin America
Research Post
 | 
September 03, 2024

Identifying guidelines for the design of conditional credit programs to promote sustainable agricultural practices in Latin America

By Daniel Eduardo Vergara Mateus, Jorge Armando Rueda Gallardo, Brian McNamara, and Valeria Piñeiro

Tools for food system policy development.

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