The transformation of agriculture and food systems as key for a sustainable bioeconomy development: Policies, challenges and good practices
Bioeconomy offers great potential for sustainable development. This potential can be fully harnessed only if global food security, human rights as well as planetary boundaries are respected. In this way, bioeconomy can contribute to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Agriculture and food systems account for the largest share of bioeconomy. Thus, a transformation towards productive, sustainable, and inclusive agriculture and food systems is mandatory for a sustainable bioeconomy. Germany is committed to support partner countries in the sustainable transformation of agriculture and food systems. To this end, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) promotes holistic approaches that ensure food security while safeguarding the environment and human rights.
But how can framework conditions be designed to guide a fair and socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable bioeconomy development? What challenges or good practices shape a sustainable transformation of agriculture and food systems that are also relevant for bioeconomy? How can countries and different stakeholders learn from each other, and good solutions be fed into bioeconomy implementation? These questions will be addressed in the panel. Fruitful discussions on country strategies and project experiences in Latin America, Africa and Asia give insights into challenges and necessary shifts in framework conditions and how these shape the future of bioeconomy development.
Bioeconomy offers great potential for sustainable development. This potential can be fully harnessed only if global food security, human rights as well as planetary boundaries are respected. Agriculture and food systems account for the largest share of bioeconomy.
Thus, a sustainable transformation towards productive, sustainable, and inclusive agriculture and food systems is mandatory for a sustainable bioeconomy. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as organizer of this panel will discuss challenges and opportunities for bioeconomy development and the transformation of agriculture and food systems with representatives from partner countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America: Which policies and strategies do effectively foster the development of a sustainable bioeconomy? What are good practices and key success factors for the transformation of agriculture and food systems at the national and local level that leverage a sustainable bioeconomy development?
Objectives
- Discuss different country policies and perspectives on bioeconomy;
- Highlight agriculture and food systems transformation as central area for bioeconomy development;
- Learn about good practices, projects and stakeholder perspectives.
Agenda
What | Who |
Welcome by Moderator | Jasmin Hundorf , Head of Sector Project Resilient Rural Areas (GIZ) Short introduction and background |
Opening Remarks | Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany |
Introduction | Moderator |
Keynote | Sustainable Bioeconomy and the Transformation of Agriculture and Food Systems – Opportunities and Challenges
Dr. Julius Ecuru, Head of BioInnovate at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kenya |
Policy Segment: Country policies on bioeconomy
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John Anthony Mulongoti, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia | |
Marina Godoi de Lima, Deputy Executive Secretary, Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (MDA), Brazil | |
Shaji K V, Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), India | |
Interactive dialogue with the audience | |
Good Practices Segment: Contributions to a sustainable bioeconomy and the transformation of agriculture and food systems
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Antonio de Carvalho Kaxinawá, Agroforestry agent and indigenous leader, Brazil | |
Rik Kutsch Lojenga, Director, Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT), The Netherlands | |
Marcella D’Souza, Director of the Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS) at the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR), India | |
Dr. Irene Kadzere-Forichi, Senior Scientist, Department of International Cooperation at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland | |
Interactive experience sharing with the audience | |
Wrap-up | Dr. Ariane Hildebrandt, Director-General, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany |
Closing | Moderator |
Panelists
Keynote Speaker

Julius Ecuru
Leiter des „BioInnovate Africa“-Programms
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)

Jochen Flasbarth
State Secretary
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany
Moderators & Panelists

Jasmin Hundorf
Head of Sector Project Resilient Rural Areas
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Marina Godoi de Lima
Deputy Executive Secretary
Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (MDA), Brazil

Shaji Krishnan Vimalanandavally
Chairman
National Bank for Agriculture and Development (NABARD), India

Rik Kutsch Lojenga
Executive Director
Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT), The Netherlands

Marcella D'souza
Director
Watershed Organisation (WOTR), India

Irene Kadzere-Forichi
Senior Scientist and Action Research Advisor
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)
Ariane Hildebrandt
Director-General, German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development,
BMZ
John Anthony Mulongoti
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia