The Rethinking Food Markets Science, Innovation, and Policy (SIP) symposium

10-11 December, Washington D.C, USA | 9 - 17.30 EST both days

Agenda

The agenda for this 2 day event and links for joining sessions virtually can be accessed here. Day 1 is a research showcase, and day 2 focuses on policy applications and research dissemination and scaling opportunities.

Please note this is a livestream of an in-person symposium event.  The in-person element is by invitation-only

Objective

The main objective of the Symposium is to present the key findings of the CGIAR research Initiative on Rethinking Food Markets for Inclusion and Sustainability (RFM). CGIAR researchers, partners and food system stakeholders will showcase innovations and policies that were found to improve income and employment opportunities in food value chains, enhance market efficiency, and reduce the environmental footprints of food production and distribution.

The event will provide an opportunity for CGIAR researchers and partners to present and contrast findings from related research, as well as for food system operators to discuss what is needed to address obstacles to adoption of innovations and policymakers to identify options for policy support promoting scaling of improved practices and addressing trade-offs.

Furthermore, several policy and innovation guidance documents will be launched during the two-day event. The guidance notes will serve to actively involve and motivate key stakeholders within the food supply chain to identify actionable approaches for adopting the inclusive and sustainable food system innovations and feasible options for policy support. The event will also serve to identify directions for further actionable research.

Content

The event will revolve around presentations of the initiative’s main research findings of piloted innovations and supportive interventions in five country contexts and comparisons with experiences in other contexts. Participants will also engage in discussions regarding the scalability of food system innovations and what support policies are needed for impact at scale.

Presentation themes

• Improved logistics to reduce food losses and improve value chain efficiency - emphasizes the importance of efficient logistics systems in minimizing food loss and preserving product quality throughout the supply chain. 1
• Digital innovations for tracing products and making market information accessible - highlights the role of technology in enhancing transparency and traceability in the food industry, providing valuable information to consumers and businesses.
• Product quality upgrading and food standard certification - focuses on making standards and certification schemes for food quality and sustainability work for improving market access and income opportunities for smallholders and small-scale producers.
• Strengthening coordination and vertical integration within global value chains –focuses on innovative forms of inclusive value chain contracting arrangements and solutions to coordination failures in export-oriented food value chains.
• Innovations in inclusive mechanisms for e-finance – mechanisms include mobile input finance mechanisms accessible to smallholders, women and youth

Access the agenda for this 2 day event and links for virtually joining sessions here.  Please note this is a livestream of an in-person symposium event.  The in-person element is by invitation-only.