Global Food Security Research Strategy: New Evidence and Opportunities

A robust evidence base indicates that agriculture, nutrition, and food security research investments enable the productivity gains that drive global improvements in food security and protect against future food security risks. U.S. Government agencies that are part of the Feed the Future initiative will develop an updated U.S. Government’s Global Food Security Research Strategy to help achieve sustainable reductions in hunger, poverty, and malnutrition through science, technology, and innovation. USAID is convening public consultations and co-drafting the Research Strategy in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in advance of a January 2022 launch by the interagency. USAID and USDA are seeking input, feedback, and ideas from the U.S and international research community and stakeholders which will inform the drafting of the updated Global Food Security Research Strategy.

This webinar will introduce plans for updating the Research Strategy. The agenda will include opening remarks by USAID Bureau for Resilience and Food Security (RFS) Deputy Assistant Administrator Mike Michener and framing comments by RFS Chief Scientist Dr. Rob Bertram and Senior Advisor in the USDA Office of the Chief Scientist Jaime Adams. USDA Economist Dr. Keith Fuglie will review evidence and provide key insights relevant to research investment priority setting. Dr. Renee Lafitte, Deputy Director for Crops Research and Development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will discuss new research approaches in a changing climate, and Tufts University Research Associate Professor Dr. Shibani Ghosh will speak about diet quality, nutrition, and inclusion. The session will end with an overview of the timeline for the Research Strategy update and a call for stakeholder feedback.