2024 Conference Keynote Listeners Report
August 18, 2024
Each year a succinct summary of our annual conference is delivered by our Keynote Listeners who play an integral role in summarising and communicating the key take home messages from the event.
We invite RAID Network to nominate members to be our Keynote Listeners each year and in 2024 we can thank John Yaxley and Anna Mackintosh, both active RAID members, for their report below, which will be particularly useful as we wait for the conference formal proceedings, yet to come!
SIR JOHN CRAWFORD MEMORIAL ADDRESS – BUILDING RESILIENCE IN AN INTERDEPENDENT PATCHWORK EARTH
Dr Line Gordon, Director, Stockholm Resilience Centre and Professor in sustainable food systems at Stockholm University
The 2024 Crawford Fund Conference, titled Food and Nutrition Security: Transformative Partnerships, Local Leadership and Co-Design was officially opened by the Hon John Anderson AC (Chair, The Crawford Fund), who welcomed the presenter of the 2024 Sir John Crawford Memorial Address, Dr Line Gordon.
Line began her address by outlining the important role the food system plays in building resilience in an interdependent patchwork earth. She highlighted the importance of balancing nature with the responsible use of natural resources and the capacity to live and develop in times of change and crisis. Line discussed regime shifts, the EAT-Lancet Commission’s global planetary health diet and response diversity. The audience were urged to consider food as more than just nutrition – culture, language, history, community, and an expression of gratitude – as this will help us achieve transformative change to feed the growing population. Line stressed that, to build resilience in response to the challenges we face, we must embrace a diversity of solutions. She concluded her address by emphasising the importance of mutual learning, co-design, and sustainable practices.
MINISTERIAL OPENING AND CRAWFORD FUND MEDAL PRESENTATION
The Hon. Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, and Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery
The Hon. Pat Conroy MP highlighted the Crawford Fund’s role in international development, applauding young participants and emphasizing the importance of agriculture and food security in development. He noted alarming statistics: 864 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2023, and 44% of Pacific children under five experienced stunting in 2022. Conroy linked food security and climate change, stressing the need for locally led solutions and partnerships. He announced a $2.6 million investment in Pacific food production systems, emphasizing the importance of transformation to achieve zero hunger.
The Crawford Fund medal was awarded to Dr. Tony Fischer for his contributions to global wheat production and agricultural development. Fischer reflected on his career, his mentors and his family. He emphasized the importance of measurement, analysis, and curiosity in research. Fischer acknowledged ACIAR’s role in publishing his book Crop yields and global food security and praised Australia’s aid program for lifting agricultural productivity and research capacity.
SESSION 1: KEYNOTE – TRANSFORMATIVE INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL R&D: THE ROAD TO FUTURE SUCCESS
Chair: Professor Wendy Umberger, Chief Executive Officer, ACIAR
Keynote: Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR
Dr Elouafi began her address by stating we are at a critical juncture in our collective efforts to address the profound challenges that define our era: climate change, biodiversity loss and threats to human health, and that these challenges demand holistic food systems solutions. She outlined four main challenges – the intertwined climate change, environment and health challenges, the funding constraint and sustainability, policy and regulation barriers, and equity and inclusivity. She outlined that collaboration, partnerships, and co-design are key to meeting these interdependent challenges, which require comprehensive approaches that cross partnerships, sectors, disciplines, and continents. Dr Elouafi concluded her address by emphasising the importance of partnerships and co-design to achieve greater impact and build a more resilient and sustainable future.
SESSION 2: CONSTRUCTING EFFECTIVE, HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Chair: Nicolas Gouletquer, Partnerships & Business Development Manager, Sustainability Program, CSIRO Agriculture and Food
Overview: Professor Hampus Eriksson, Senior Scientist, WorldFish and Professor at the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security at the University of Wollongong
Professor Eriksson discussed constructing effective, high-quality research partnerships. He emphasized the difference between R4D and research-in-development, highlighting that only 2% of agricultural research has original, high-quality data for small-scale producers. He stressed the importance of legitimacy, relevance, credibility, and effectiveness in research, noting that growth should be “fit for purpose” rather than simply bigger.
Partnership through the Treaty Village Fruit Fly Trapping Program: PNG and Australia
Ms Annastasia Kawi, Senior Technical Officer at PNG National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority, and Patrick Nai, DAFF Torres Strait Biosecurity Officer
Annastasia and Patrick discussed the Treaty Village Fruit Fly Trapping Program (TVFFTP), which commenced in 2022 to understand oriental fruit fly populations in PNG. Oriental fruit fly is a shared challenge for PNG and AUS, and TVFFTP is a great example of a successful partnership program between PNG and Australia. Annastasia and Patrick conveyed the success of the program and importance of collaboration and community engagement in overcoming shared challenges.
Creating Strong Channels of Communication for Agriculture Policy Research in Indonesia
Dr Wahida Maghraby, Agriculture Policy Analyst, Indonesian Center for Agriculture Socio Economics and Policy Studies, Ministry of Agriculture, and former Agricultural Attaché to the European Union
Maghraby from ICASEPS focused on creating strong communication channels. Stating that effective communication and coordination between researchers and project teams are crucial to avoid duplication and meet community needs. Wahida highlighted the importance of open communication and building on past projects to ensure the real needs of the community are met.
How do we partner for impact? Communication, Co-design & Outscaling
Dr Uday Nidumolu, Research Team Leader, Resilience and Adaptation, Sustainability Programme, Agriculture & Food, CSIRO
Dr Nidumolu presented several case studies from India and Bangladesh. He emphasised that authentic and complementary partnerships are critical to achieving impact and that we must find a common language and explore innovative ways to translate, exchange feedback and communicate effectively. He said that co-design, co-development, and co-ownership should start from day one and that we must design R4D for outscaling and impact from the outset.
SESSION 3: TAILORING R&D TO DELIVER LOCAL ON-GROUND OUTCOMES
Chair: Mathew Fox, First Assistant Secretary, DFAT Climate Diplomacy and Development Finance Division
An Overview of the Pacific Regional Research Collaborative Framework
Mark Vurobaravu, Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Vanuatu
Mark Vurobaravu presented the Pacific Regional Research Collaborative Framework. Endorsed in 2023, it aims to gather Pacific voices, peer review priorities, and set up research teams. It identified 49 priorities under 12 themes, focusing on climate-resilient crops. The framework encourages regional collaboration through biennial conferences, workshops, and the establishment of a regional journal.
Transformative Partnerships for Transforming Rice Value Chain for Climate Resilient and Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta of Viet Nam
Dr Tran Thu Ha, Team Leader – Low Emission & Inclusive Agriculture, SNV
Dr Tran Thu Ha discussed rice cultivation in Vietnam’s Mekong River and the impact of climate change on production. To address this challenge, they worked in partnership with Government and relevant stakeholders to co-design the project Transforming Rice Value Chain for Climate Resilient and Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta of Viet Nam. Dr Tran Thu Ha concluded by emphasising that we must invest time in transformative partnerships to achieve outcomes.
Learnings from Australian Indigenous Projects
Madonna Thomson, Aboriginal Biocultural Knowledge Holder and Practitioner
Madonna Thomson discussed indigenous-led research on bush tucker and botanicals. Indigenous knowledge is crucial for guiding research and benefiting the supply chain. She highlighted three projects on wattle seed, Kakadu plum, and the Bush Tukka and Botanicals Indigenous Enterprises Co-operative, which aim to ensure indigenous ownership and participation, promote economic prosperity, and continue cultural practices. For example, the Kakadu plum project focuses on producing an alternative soft drink to reduce sugar intake, with partnerships seeking private investment.
Challenging dominant narratives on development approaches in the drylands
Hussein Tadicha Wario, Director, Centre for Research & Development in Drylands, Kenya
Hussein Tadicha Wario described how dominant development narratives have shifted in the drylands, where the main livelihood system is pastoral production. He explained that the disconnect between external policy/practice and pastoral perspectives has resulted in failed development interventions. The need to rethink development interventions in the drylands was emphasised and alternative approaches, such as building ‘resilience from below’, were encouraged. He concluded by highlighting the importance of community knowledge in achieving outcomes.
SESSION 4: RE-THINKING PARTNERSHIPS AND CAPACITY BUILDING TO SUPPORT TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACTS OF R&D
Chair: Jo Grainger, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Trade and International Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Overview: Shaun Coffey, Acting CEO and Director, Capacity Building, Crawford Fund
Shaun Coffey discussed the importance of “warm data,” which integrates contextual and systemic information often overlooked in science. He critiqued Maslow’s hierarchy for ignoring interconnected needs and warned against overprescribing solutions. Effective partnerships require shared goals, mutual benefits, and collaboration, but often fail due to misaligned objectives, cultural differences, communication barriers, resource imbalances, and trust issues. Coffey emphasized adaptive leadership and embedding individual and relationship training in research projects.
Genuine Partnerships for Transformational Agricultural Research and Development
Adjunct Associate Professor Seeseei Molimau Samasoni, Researcher, the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa
Adjunct Associate Professor Samasoni began by outlining the current realities in the Pacific, including high food insecurity and reliance on imported food, resulting in declining local food production, and shifting labour availability. She then outlined three recommendations to address these challenges – improved cultural and social awareness of partners, working with local champions and supporting local co-leadership, and revamping capacity building of researchers in the Pacific at the Bachelor level. She concluded by emphasising the importance of forming genuine partnerships to achieve transformational agricultural R&D.
Capacity Building for Transformative Change in the Water Sector
Dr Muhammad Azeem Ali Shah, International Researcher – Water Governance Institutions, International Water Management Institute
Dr Muhammad Azeem Ali Shah presented findings from a project in Pakistan and Afghanistan aimed at transformative change through systems change approach. It focused on building a learner model, identifying stakeholder capacities, and addressing complex water management and governance issues. Key interventions included capacity building at various levels, digitizing water allocation systems, and introducing modern irrigation techniques. The project also tackled climate change and engaged diverse stakeholders, including farmers, public and private sectors, and academia, to achieve sustainable development and improved water governance.
Early Career Researchers Working Effectively Together
Jessica Fearnley, Facilitator, RAID Network, Crawford Fund, Australia Volunteer Program and Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) Project
Jessica Fearnley presented a case study on early career researchers working effectively through the RAID/VNUA/AVP partnership. The program comprises of early- to mid-career researchers (EMCRs) from Australia and Vietnam. It aims to enhance partnerships and capacity of EMCRs and promote the exchange of cultural and agricultural knowledge between EMCRs in Australia and Vietnam. Jessica outlined several outcomes of the program and concluded by emphasising the importance of working effectively together to overcome challenges, develop skills and achieve outcomes.
SESSION 5: ACHIEVING TRANSFORMATIONAL OUTCOMES
Moderator: The Hon John Anderson AC, Chair, The Crawford Fund
Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR
Dr Line Gordon, Sir John Crawford Address Presenter
Karen Mapusua, Director, Land Resources Division, The Pacific Community
Professor Wendy Umberger, Chief Executive Officer, ACIAR
During the panel discussion, Anderson questioned the language used to engage people about climate change. Gordon argued that crisis language fosters collaboration, while Mapusua emphasized the need for strong communication about existential threats. Elouafi saw opportunities for agriculture in capturing emissions, and Umberger stressed the need for strong rhetoric to spur action.
The panel debated whether the priority should be saving the planet or humanity. Gordon emphasised the importance of preserving life support systems, while Elouafi highlighted the inequalities perpetuated by the rich. Umberger emphasised listening and leveraging relationships for effective partnerships.
Discussions included the importance of developing the global south with appropriate technology and sharing learnings from the green revolution. The panel also addressed achieving net zero by 2050 through healthy diets, reducing food loss, and promoting circular food systems. They discussed the need for diversification, efficient global trade, and sustainable transport options.
The panel concluded with a discussion on empowering women, with Mapusua noting that having women on panels has not changed global power dynamics, and Elouafi calling for a long-term approach to shift the balance of power.
