From research to impact: Towards just and resilient agri-food systems

It was a great experience to participate in the international conference “From research to impact: Towards just and resilient agri-food systems” in New Delhi, India, from 9-12 October 2023 at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Convention Center. The conference was jointly organized by the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform and Indian Council of Agricultural Research. A diverse group of researchers and other actors from academic and research institutes, NARES, NGOs, CSOs, donors, policymakers, the private sector, and more from more than 60 countries have attended the conference who are working toward the shared goal of equitable food systems transformation. Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of India inaugurated the conference. In her address, she highlighted the importance of empowering women engaged in agriculture to advance the vision of women-led development. Other relevant ministers, secretaries, Director General for ICAR, Executive Managing Director for CGIAR, Director for CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform Director, and South Asia Regional Director for CGIAR also graced the inaugural program.

In agri-food systems, unequal gender and social relations undermine the mitigation of and responses to these and future crises and hinder the resilience of rural peoples and landscapes. The conference addressed the gender and social inequalities that lie at the heart of food systems which in a great extend align with the Rupantar gender strategy. ACIAR was a co-organizer of the conference and a good number of researchers from the ACIAR projects, especially from Rupantar presented their research findings in the conference.

For me, it was an opportunity to exchange scientific knowledge, learn new tools and technologies, strengthen social networks and build partnerships. It was a huge and diverse platform where gender dynamics were discussed in relation to climate change, crops and technologies, institutions and norms, markets and value chains, landscape and biodiversity, nutrition and health, social inclusion, women’s empowerment, Covid-19, youth. To hear from the gender experts around the world, getting familiar with their works and being familiar with different tools and techniques opens up a new avenue to apply these knowledge and techniques in any upcoming research that aims to address gender.

The lessons I gathered through participating in different sessions and in some hands-on workshops can be applied to our future gender research. I feel fortunate to have been a part of it. The conference has not only broadened my perspective but has also inspired me to continue exploring new avenues in gender research.