Upcoming Master Class – investing in the future of the global agri-food systems

July 22, 2022

Our Master Class program has a very full calendar of training coming up, both in person and online. We currently have a Master Class on Implementing Sustainable Intensification underway, being held online over six days, plus out of session group work. From 26 – 29 July there will be a residential Master Class in Effective Innovation Utilisation in Agri-Food Systems, to be held in Bangkok and hosted by the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institution (APAARI) and the Crawford Fund. The Master Class’s facilitator, David Shearer, explains its purpose here. 

How do you invest in innovation that most effectively supports the transformation of the global agri-food system? This is the key question being addressed at the upcoming Masterclass on Implementing Sustainable Intensification.

The Master Class uses new evidence from the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification (CoSAI) to build skills and capability in investing in, and implementing, effective innovation in the agri-food system.

As Dr Ruben Echeverria, who was the Chair of the Commission, said “we need to invest more and make better investment decisions in innovation to promote sustainable agriculture.” This Master Class will play a key role in ensuring better decision making in specific contexts.

“Effective investment in innovation is key to creating an equitable and sustainable food system in the Asia-Pacific which has its own challenges and opportunities,” said Dr Ravi Khetarpal, the Executive Secretary of APAARI.

The Master Class will bring together participants from national government agencies, philanthropic and ODA investors, innovators in the food system and those seeking nature-based solutions for future food systems. It will allow the participants to explore the latest evidence and build capacity for developing approaches that will enable more effective use and sustainable impact of innovation in agri-food systems in the participants own environment.

Participants have rich experience already to bring to an exploration of innovation in science and technology, finance, policy and institutional development, with the aim of influencing the behaviour of both private and public investors and policy makers to ensure more sustainable and impactful public and private investment. 

The Master Class will be held over four days, with three days of interaction with peers and colleagues in a classroom setting and one day interacting with innovative agri-food stakeholders. We are confident the participants will improve their understanding of  approaches to effective investment in innovation.

For further information please contact David Shearer ([email protected]).