Economic and Technological Change (ECON)

Keywords
agrifood systems, food systems transformation, food environments, climate change adaptation, resilience, nutrition, governance systems, public policy, policy analysis

Countries
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Togo, Zambia

Summary
The Agrifood Systems-Transformative Research and Policy program at the Center for Development Research was initiated in November 2023 and will be implemented over a period of 3.5 years.

The program will strengthen the capacity and knowledge of program partner countries to craft and implement effective policies by providing the research and analytical support to develop evidence-based pathways and policies for a sustainable transformation of agrifood systems. The program will also facilitate peer-to-peer exchange and learning events (at the country and regional levels as well as at global fora) for the development of evidence-based sustainability- and resilience-enhancing policies and strategies. Finally, the program will address questions about governance structures, multisectoral and multistakeholder coordination mechanisms that are reflective of the interlinked challenges countries face, and support the development of metrics to better measure and evaluate the impact of interventions and policy structures.

Activities include research and technical support to partner countries in identifying synergies between food, agricultural and social development, nutrition, climate change, biodiversity protection, and environmental health within the broader framework of strengthening the resilience and sustainability of agrifood systems and agrifood systems transformation. The program will identify “low-hanging fruits” in partner countries as possible entry points for targeted interventions to enable evidence-based policy design and implementation. These research activities will be complemented by contributions to peer-to-peer exchange and learning events aimed at discussing what type of interventions may work or have worked already and could be replicated and brought to scale in order to avoid costly “failed experiments”. The research will also identify and highlight possible synergies and tradeoffs of policy interventions with respect to multiple sustainability dimensions (e.g., income, nutrition, gender, climate, biodiversity, etc.).

The program provides technical support to three GIZ programs: the global program on the transformation of food systems (Globalvorhaben Transformation der Ernährungssysteme), the global program on sustainable agrifood systems and policies (Globalvorhaben Nachhaltige Agrarsysteme und Agrarpolitik) and Knowledge for Nutrition (K4N).  It will be implemented in the following countries*: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Togo, and Zambia.

*Final list of countries tbc

Main Cooperation Partners
Country partners (research, policy), GIZ, BMZ

Main Funding Partners
GIZ

Duration of the Project
November 2023 – April 2027

Team
Dr. Katrin Glatzel
Prof. Matin Qaim

Contact
 Dr. Katrin Glatzel, Phone.: +49-228-73-1884

Keywords
Food price volatility, speculation, risk management, inventories, price transmission

Countries
World (in particular grain producing countries) and selected developing countries (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India and Indonesia) as well as China

Summary
The overall objectives of the project are the investigation of the drivers and causes of price volatility, the transmission to regional, national and micro-level, and the impact on poor people (farmers and consumers). In particular, regulatory instruments such as public reserves, policies targeting on trade or private storage, and safety nets and other coping mechanisms are explored. Another main goal is the development of an early warning system for food insecurity based on research outcomes.

Methodology
Short-term statistical modeling and early-warning systems; Econometric analysis and field research; Partial equilibrium modeling

Main Cooperation Partners
https://www.zef.de/project-homepages/volatility/template-following/volatility/partners-and-cooperations.html

Main Funding Partners

• BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development): Phase 1 & 2
•  Union Investment: Phase 1
• Bayer Crop Science: Phase 1

Duration of the Project
Aug 2011 – Dec 2014: Volatility in Commodity Markets, Trade Policy and the Poor (Phase 1)

Apr 2015 – Dec 2021: Analysis and Implementation of Measures to Reduce Price Volatility in National and International Markets for Improved Food Security in Developing Countries (Phase 2)

Jan 2022 – Dec 2024: Extension of Phase 2

Project Homepage
https://www.zef.de/volatility.html

Team
Prof. Dr. Joachim von Braun
Dr. Lukas Kornher (project coordinator)
Dr. Bernadina Algieri
Dr. Annet Adong
Dr. Muhammed Usman
Dr. Sundus Saleemi
Dr. Gazali Issahaku

Contact
Dr. Lukas Kornher. Phone.: +49-228-73-6188

Keywords
Support of doctoral research on nutrition and food security

Summary
With its program “Hermann Eiselen Ph.D. Research Support Program” the German Foundation fiat panis supports research on food security and rural development in the Global South. This grant provides doctoral students from the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn with funding for empirical research on food security. Since the fiat panis Foundation began funding the doctoral students in 2011 more than 100 research activities have been funded at ZEF leading to successful dissertations.

Duration of the Project
Since 2011

Project Homepage
http://www.stiftung-fiat-panis.de/en/

Contact
 Dr. Silke Tönsjost, Phone.: +49-228-73-1794

Keywords
Labor markets, income diversification, gender, social welfare

Countries
Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia

Summary
Households in rural Africa typically have diversified income sources. Beyond own farm production, many also work on other farms as agricultural laborers, have formal or informal employment in other sectors, or pursue self-employed business activities. With rapidly rising population numbers, the diversification of income and employment sources in rural Africa – also beyond the agricultural sector – will likely continue in the coming years and decades. Sufficient generation of decent employment in various rural sectors could contribute to sustainable structural transformation and development, whereas inadequate job availability could perpetuate poverty and natural resource degradation. Hence, studying employment trends and the factors that influence current and future job availability, accessibility, and quality needs to be an integral element of “future-making” research in rural Africa. This project collects and uses data from four Eastern and Southern African countries – Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and Zambia – to provide insights under diverse agroecological and socioeconomic conditions. The following research questions are addressed: (1) What income and employment sources do rural households and individuals have, and how are these sources associated with economic and social welfare? (2) To what extent are employment patterns associated with the use of specific agricultural technologies and innovations? (3) What role do rural infrastructure and institutions play? (4) How do labour conditions compare in relevant rural sectors? (5) What are conducive household-level and contextual conditions for sustainable job futures?

Methodology
Together with local partners we collect household- and individual-level data as well as employer data through structured personal interviews. Statistical models are developed and estimated to analyze people’s access to different types of employment, determinants of participation, labor conditions, and effects on income, food security, gender roles, and inequality. Employment trends and their drivers are analyzed with panel data.

Main Cooperation Partners

• University of Bonn
• University of Cologne
• University of Nairobi, Kenya
• Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
• University of Namibia, Namibia
• University of Zambia, Zambia 

Main Funding Partners
German Research Foundation (DFG)

Duration of the Project
2022 - 2025

Project Homepage
https://www.crc228.de/

Team
Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim (project leader)
Dr. Martin Parlasca
Chrispinus Mutsami
Three additional PhD students to be recruited

Contact
 Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim, Phone.: +49-228-73-1847

Summary
The Malabo Montpellier Panel works to accelerate progress towards sustainable food systems transformation in Africa. It identifies areas of progress and positive change across the continent and assesses what successful countries have done differently. It identifies and analyses the most important policy and institutional innovations and programmatic interventions that can be replicated and scaled up by other countries.

The Malabo Montpellier Panel, co-chaired by Dr. Ousmane Badiane (Executive Chairperson, AKADEMIYA2063) and Prof. Joachim von Braun (Distinguished Professor, University of Bonn), convenes 18 leading experts in agriculture, ecology, nutrition, and food security to facilitate policy innovation by African governments to accelerate progress towards sustainable food systems transformation in Africa.

The affiliated Malabo Montpellier Forum provides a platform to promote policy innovation by using the evidence produced by the Panel to facilitate dialogue and exchange among high-level decision-makers on African food systems transformation, climate change adaptation, and mitigation. The Forum is co-chaired by H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and H.E. Assia Bensalah Alaoui, Ambassador at Large to His Majesty Mohamed VI, the King of Morocco.

Main Cooperation Partners
AKADEMIYA2063

Main Funding Partners

• The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
• The African Development Bank (AfDB)
• The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Publications
Malabo Montpellier Panel Brochure
Malabo Montpellier Panel Factsheet

All other publications can be found on the project website.

Duration of the Project
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2026

Project Homepage
https://www.mamopanel.org/

Team
Panel Members

Contact
 Prof. Dr. Joachim von Braun, Phone.: +49-228-73-1800

Keywords
Sustainable agricultural growth; food and nutrition security; targeting innovation investments; development of the agri-food sector; mechanization of skills; youth engagement; digitalization in agriculture; Africa, India

Countries
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia

Summary
Africa is increasingly emphasizing the role of innovation in development. The Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 takes into consideration the social, economic, and technological progress Africa has made over the last decade. Innovation for sustainable and high agricultural growth forms an important part of this ambition. The German Government has acknowledged this innovation potential and wants to support the improvement of food and nutrition security and sustainable agricultural value chains through Green Innovation Centers (GICs) in Africa and India implemented by the GIZ.

PARI brings together partners from Africa, India and Germany to conduct research on sustainable agricultural development, food systems transformation, and food and nutrition security in Africa and India.

Methodology
PARI pursues the following strategies:

1.  Analyses of the potential and impact of innovations (which innovations to invest in, where and for whom),
2. Identification and assessment of supportive measures to strengthen the framework / policy conditions for the generation and dissemination of promising agriculture and rural areas development–related innovations, and
3. Engaging with food, nutrition, agriculture and rural areas development policy makers to inform reforms and investment decisions that an improve job creation and food and nutrition security. 

The core topics and thematic research priorities of the PARI have been identified in accordance with the African Union’s CAADP (Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security & nutrition, economic growth & prosperity for all) as part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Drawing on these priorities as well as research findings by the PARI partners to date, research is structured in four themes:

Theme 1: Scaling innovations to promote multi-sectoral and sustainable approaches for small-scale producers

• Multi-sectoral approaches in small-scale production systems, incl. animal husbandry and aquaculture
• Promotion of sustainable, climate-smart production methods
• Targeted measures that specifically support and empower women
• Evaluation of experiences with the widespread dissemination of relevant technological and institutional innovations – Africa and India

Theme 2: Investment in infrastructure and skills as framework conditions for rural development and urban linkages

• Complementary investments in hard and soft infrastructure
• Innovative approaches to skill development for small-scale producers

Theme 3: Supporting sustainable and fair food systems through digital opportunities

Theme 4: Structural transformation of national agricultural innovation and research systems

Main Cooperation Partners

National partners in Africa and India:

• Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
• African Growth and Development Policy Modeling Consortium (AGRODEP)
• University of Hohenheim (UHOH)
• Akademiya2063
• National Partners in Africa

Main Funding Partners
PARI is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Duration of the Project
December 2014 – December 2024

Project Homepage
https://research4agrinnovation.org/

Team
Prof. Dr. Joachim von Braun
Prof. Dr. Assefa Admassie
Dr. Heike Baumüller
Dr. Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu
Dr. Amy Faye
Dr. Tigabu Degu Getahun
Dr. Zaneta Kubik
Dr. Miriam Romero
Katerina Gileva-Scholz

Contact
 Dr. Heike Baumüller, Phone.: +49-228-73-6740

Keywords
Digital Farming Technologies, Robotics, Public Perceptions, Crop Farming Systems

Countries
Germany

Summary
Digital technologies are changing agricultural production systems and will characterize agriculture in the future. Autonomous machines (robots), for example, strongly deviate from traditional agricultural images and farming practices. The main interest of this project is to analyze and better understand society’s attitudes toward the increasing digitalization in agriculture. This project is part of the PhenoRob Excellence Cluster at the University of Bonn.

More specifically, this project aims at: (1) Exploring what citizens know about digitization and automation in agriculture and how they perceive current developments, (2) outlining scenarios of what agriculture, especially crop farming, could look like in the future and (3) combining these pieces of informations into an overall picture with the experiences from the practical development of machines and models in the PhenoRob project and farmers' perspectives regarding new technologies. Results may help to improve public communication around new digital farming technologies.

Methodology

• Online surveys and experiments with German citizens
• Multivariate statistical analysis methods

Main Cooperation Partners
DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft through PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence)

Duration of the Project
2022 - 2025

Project Homepage
https://www.phenorob.de/cp-6-technology-adoption-and-impact/

Team
Hendrik Zeddies
Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim
Prof. Dr. Gesa Busch (University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf)

Contact
 Hendrik Zeddies, Phone.: +49-228-73-

Keywords
Vegetable production and consumption, Healthy diets, Micronutrients, Food production technologies

Countries
Germany, Ghana, other countries in Africa

Summary
African countries will need to significantly increase their production and consumption of vegetables to address malnutrition and ensure access to healthy foods for the growing population. This is a major challenge, especially in the context of climate change, as heat, water scarcity, and increasing problems with plant diseases and pests make it difficult to increase productivity in the open field. Greenhouse vegetable production could be an important part of the solution for both urban and rural areas. The START project develops new greenhouse technologies ( “deep water cultivation” techniques) for efficient production of various types of vegetables. Research and testing grounds are established at the University of Bonn, considering current and future conditions in Africa.

Ghana is used as one country example. ZEF researchers collect comprehensive data from rural and urban households in Ghana to analyze the role of various types of vegetables for people’s diets and livelihoods and how production and consumption may potentially change through the new greenhouse technologies. Preferences for different local and exotic vegetables as well as the potential acceptance of new production technologies are also investigated. Based on various data sources, future scenarios in which new types of greenhouses produce more vegetables at affordable prices and with less seasonal variation are developed and analyzed in terms of their impacts on nutrition, health, socioeconomic development, and environmental sustainability.

Main Cooperation Partners

• University of Bonn, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES)
• University of Ghana
• RWTH Aachen
• Bio Innovation Park Rheinland

Main Funding Partners
BMBF

Duration of the Project
04/2023 - 03/2027

Team
at ZEF: 
Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim (lead)
Dr. Martin Parlasca
Elisa Langella
Benjamin Bonzo

at INRES (Sustainability Campus Klein-Altendorf):
Prof. Dr. Ralf Pude
Dr. Marcell Moll