Presentation

Katrien Descheemaeker is Professor Plant Production Systems in the Plant Science Group of Wageningen University (Netherlands). Katrien's research focuses on farming systems analysis, soil-plant-animal interactions, sustainable development and resource use efficiency, with a special interest in the functioning and dynamics of mixed crop-livestock systems. Current activities combine experimental trial work with simulation modelling to identify and assess options for sustainable intensification and climate-smart agriculture. Across various projects on smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa, Dr. Descheemaeker designs participatory and co-learning approaches that aim to co-design tailored agricultural technologies and practices to improve farm productivity, food security, resilience to shocks, and natural resource integrity.

What I can bring to this network ?

Experience with research and education in systems analysis of agricultural systems. Educational material; tools and methods for systems analysis

What I seek in this network ?

Presentation

Santiago Lopez-Ridaura: Mexican agronomist with more than 20 years of experience on the evaluation and design of more sustainable agricultural systems at different levels of analysis. With more than 60 scientific publications in a wide diversity of topics, his main area of expertise is around the sustainability of small-scale farming systems, ex-ante and ex-post multicriteria assessment, natural resource management, agroecology and food and nutritional security. He has led and participated in several projects worldwide related to the development and implementation of agricultural innovations and integrated farming systems research with a wide diversity of partners and students. He is currently a principal scientist in the Sustainable Agri-food Systems Program of CIMMYT

What I can bring to this network ?

Expertise on methods and tools for systems analysis. Experiences in different contexts on the application of systems analysis methods and tools.

What I seek in this network ?

Collaboration with other disciplines

Presentation

Prof Patrick Okori an Agriculture Scientist and Education Leader is the Executive Secretary of RUFORUM (www.ruforum.org). He has previously served as Academic Dean and Science Leader at Makerere University in Uganda, Africa, responsible for academic reform, partnerships and resourcing. At the CGIAR, (ICRISAT), he was Principal Scientist- Groundnut Breeding, Country Representative, and Deputy Director of Research Programme on Accelerated Crop Improvement. He is a thought leader serving in national to global high-level strategy and visioning processes.

What I can bring to this network ?

Vast experience in University led Graduate training and Human capital development for science and development mostly within Agriculture and allied sectors of the economy

What I seek in this network ?

To engage with the CGIAR on cost-leveraged opportunities for capacity building and sharing in agriculture and related disciplines. My interest is who best we could work together to training the nest generation of science leaders (MSc PhD and post doctoral fellows, as well as specialised skilling in emerging science areas.

Presentation

My overall goal: contribute to the strengthening of small-scale family farming in tropical areas through the co-production of knowledge and approaches, the co-design and participatory dissemination of technical and social innovations at local, national and international levels, policy lobbying, as well as through capacity-sharing and linkage among R&D actors.
My experience: Innovation systems & processes, multi-stakeholder collaboration, participatory monitoring and evaluation, impact evaluation, farmer innovation, participatory action research, facilitation of multi-stakeholder events and processes, agroecology and conservation agriculture, sustainable rural development, systemic diagnosis at the plot/farm/region/innovation system scales, capacity building for students, R&D professionals, farmers and local stakeholders. Mexico, Latin America, Africa

What I can bring to this network ?

wide international exposure and network, interfacing biophysical and social sciences, interfacing research and development partners, attention to local innovation, systems approach at various scales from field to territory,

What I seek in this network ?

People and initiatives with a keen interest in devising and sharing participatory and systemic approaches among the R&D community and making sure they are actually implemented on the ground

Presentation

Jacques WERY is Emeritus Professor at l’Institut Agro (France). He has been teaching crop physiology, agronomy and agricultural systems during 37 years before moving to science and partnership management as Deputy Director General Research of ICARDA based in Cairo (2018-2021) and as Director of Science and Partnership at l’Institut Agro (2021-2024). He has been board member of the Seamless project on integrated modelling of agricultural systems (2004-2009) and Executive Secretary of the European Society for Agronomy (2010-2018).

What I can bring to this network ?

My time and passion in the coordination of the CoPSyS and the System-S platform.

What I seek in this network ?

Sharing capacities and building projects in an interdisciplinary framework.