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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

Kinya Kaibung’a

Kinya Kaibung’a is a Research Officer with the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has a keen interest in leveraging machine learning, AI, and other cutting-edge technologies to boost climate resilience and food security in smart agriculture systems.

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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.

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Where we work

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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experts

Director General’s Office (DGO)

Maria DiGiovanni

Research Analyst

Bio

Maria DiGiovanni is a Research Analyst in the Director General’s Office, based in Washington, DC, where she supports research for the development of presentations, reports, and online materials that document and communicate IFPRI’s mission, strategy, and impact. She completed a bachelor’s degree in International Agriculture and Rural Development at Cornell University and conducted independent research in Calabria, Italy, through a Fulbright Scholarship in 2023/2024.

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Publications

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Blog Post

Putting advocacy into practice at the Gen Z Food & Hunger Summit

2026DiGiovanni, Maria
Details

Putting advocacy into practice at the Gen Z Food & Hunger Summit

Key takeaways -Youth participation is essential for lasting food security progress. Gen Z leaders are helping shape policies and programs that address hunger and strengthen food systems. -Successful advocacy blends evidence with personal experience. Data and real-world stories can make a stronger case for policy action. -Hands-on engagement builds confidence and leadership skills. Direct conversations with policymakers helped participants turn advocacy training into action.

Year published

2026

Authors

DiGiovanni, Maria

Citation

DiGiovanni, Maria. 2026. Putting advocacy into practice at the Gen Z Food & Hunger Summit. IFPRI Blog Post. https://www.ifpri.org/blog/putting-advocacy-into-practice-at-the-gen-z-food-hunger-summit/

Country/Region

United States

Keywords

Americas; Northern America; Advocacy; Youth; Participation; Public Participation; Food Security

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Blog Post

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Blog Post

Guiding Niger River Basin investments using a WEFE Nexus approach

2026DiGiovanni, Maria; Ringler, Claudia
Details

Guiding Niger River Basin investments using a WEFE Nexus approach

The Niger River is a key lifeline for approximately 160 million people in the nine countries that share the basin’s water and related resources in West Africa. The region’s immediate welfare and long-term development depend on improving the management of the resources and ecosystem services of the Niger River Basin. To achieve this, IFPRI has supported a key regional governing body, the Niger Basin Authority, in developing a sustainable management strategy using the Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus approach—which considers synergies and trade-offs across interconnected sectors, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of investments.

Year published

2026

Authors

DiGiovanni, Maria; Ringler, Claudia

Citation

DiGiovanni, Maria; Ringler, Claudia. 2026. Guiding Niger River Basin investments using a WEFE Nexus approach. IFPRI Blog Post. https://www.ifpri.org/blog/guiding-niger-river-basin-investments-using-a-wefe-nexus-approach/

Keywords

Western Africa; Africa; Environment; Natural Resources; Water Policies

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Blog Post

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Blog Post

50th Anniversary Impact Assessment Report: IFPRI’s capacity sharing work

2026DiGiovanni, Maria; Hazell, Peter; Place, Frank
Details

50th Anniversary Impact Assessment Report: IFPRI’s capacity sharing work

Last in a series of blog posts summarizing impacts of IFPRI research over five decades. Read the first here , the second here , and third here .

Year published

2026

Authors

DiGiovanni, Maria; Hazell, Peter; Place, Frank

Citation

DiGiovanni, Maria; Hazell, Peter; Place, Frank. 2026. 50th Anniversary Impact Assessment Report: IFPRI’s capacity sharing work. IFPRI Blog Post. https://www.ifpri.org/blog/50th-anniversary-impact-assessment-report-ifpris-capacity-sharing-work/

Country/Region

China

Keywords

Eastern Asia; Asia; Eastern Africa; Africa; Southern Africa; Impact Assessment

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Blog Post

Blogs

Putting advocacy into practice at the Gen Z Food & Hunger Summit
Event Post
 | 
August 11, 2026

Putting advocacy into practice at the Gen Z Food & Hunger Summit

By Maria DiGiovanni

The key role of young people in building global food security.

Guiding Niger River Basin investments using a WEFE Nexus approach
Research Post
 | 
April 21, 2026

Guiding Niger River Basin investments using a WEFE Nexus approach

By Maria DiGiovanni and Claudia Ringler

IFPRI’s role supporting stewardship for a key resource.

50th Anniversary Impact Assessment Report: IFPRI’s capacity sharing work
Research Post
 | 
February 18, 2026

50th Anniversary Impact Assessment Report: IFPRI’s capacity sharing work

By Maria DiGiovanni, Peter Hazell, and Frank Place

Strengthening of capabilities of individuals and institutions.

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