This high-level panel will explore the rapidly evolving landscape of research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) in the agri-food sector worldwide. As global food systems face increasing challenges, from the climate crisis to transformative investment paradigms, new models of public-private collaboration, institutional innovation, and data-driven decision-making are redefining the path from ideation to impact. Featuring insights from leading experts in agricultural science and development policy, the session will examine emerging trends in R&D funding, the dynamics of agri-food value chains, and the role of evidence and governance in shaping future innovation. The discussion will offer forward-looking perspectives on how to build resilient, inclusive, and technology-enabled food systems in the years ahead.
Panelists:
– Dr. Philip Pardey – Director of the GEMS Informatics Center for the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), a joint venture led by CFANS and Research Computing (Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and USpatial).
– Dr. Hernán Muñoz – Statistical Leader of the ASTI program in the statistics division (ESS) at FAO, and data expert for the Committee on World Food Security.
– Dr. Rubén Echeverría – Senior Advisor for agricultural development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
– Moderated by: Dr. Eugenia Saini – Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO
📅 : April 29, 2025
🕒 : 10:00 AM (EST, Washington D.C.)
🔗 : Free registration here: https://forms.office.com/r/aKKXqt58E1
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About FONTAGRO
FONTAGRO was created 1998 with the purpose of promoting the increase of the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and the reduction of poverty in the region. The objective of FONTAGRO is to establish itself as a sustainable financing mechanism for the development of agricultural technology and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean and Spain, and to establish a forum for the discussion of priority topics of technological innovation. The member countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. In the last 27 years 204 regional agricultural innovation platforms have been co-financed for an amount of US $ 150.7 million, which has reached 531 institutions and 35 countries worldwide.