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Agrinatura Newsletter – November 2025
Agrinatura Newsletter 28/11/2025
Dear Agrinatura members and partners, 
 
This new edition of our bi-monthly update, featuring the latest news on upcoming events, project highlights, member and partners activities, and opportunities across the Agrinatura network and beyond.
We warmly encourage all members and partners to share relevant news, resources, and announcements with us at secretariat@agrinatura-eu.eu.
Many thanks to all who contributed to this edition.
Best regards,
Isolina Boto
Secretary-General
 
Agrinatura Activity Overview  
 
TAP Steering Committee Meeting 14 November 2025 
Agrinatura President attended the TAP Steering Committee met on 14 November to review progress and outline priorities for the 2025–2030 roadmap. Members discussed actions to strengthen agricultural innovation systems, enhance multi-stakeholder collaboration and improve knowledge sharing across regions. The meeting showcased the strong results of the Science and Technology Backyard (STB) model in China and Africa, where closer collaboration between scientists and farmers has led to significant productivity gains and more sustainable practices. 
Presentations from Malawi highlighted how STBs build trust, integrate local knowledge networks and support farmer-led innovation. Committee members stressed the importance of cost-effective scaling and long-term sustainability. The session also reviewed the critical role of professional associations in Tanzania and Ethiopia in supporting extension services, accreditation, policy engagement and capacity development. 
The draft TAP Roadmap 2025–2030 was presented, outlining six priority areas focused on innovation systems, strategic partnerships, knowledge exchange and country-level impact. Updates were shared on the TAP e-learning academy.
 
On 22 October 2025, Agrinatura’s President participated in the 

CEA-FIRST 3rd General Assembly on 25 November 2025
Agrinatura, and some of its members, are partners in the CEA-FIRST project, funded under Horizon Europe, which aims at operationalising the International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA). Anchored in the AU-EU partnership and guided by the FNSSA Roadmap of the High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD), the IRC-FNSSA is envisioned as a multi-actor, member-based platform designed to address fragmentation in research and innovation (R&I) efforts and promote scalable, impactful solutions. The operationalisation is being undertaken in consolidation and pilot phases. Over the course of the Consolidation Phase during the first two years of the CEA-FIRST project, significant progress has been made in establishing foundational structures and laying the groundwork for IRC implementation, which now informs the transition to the pilot phase.
COP30 UN Climate Conference    
For Agrinatura members, the recent COP outcomes highlight several important developments:
  • Stronger integration of agrifood systems into climate agendas, with a focus on resilience and food security.
  • Climate finance commitments: the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) was set at USD 300 billion per year by 2035, with developed countries expected to provide substantial contributions, and an ambition to scale up to USD 1.3 trillion annually by 2035.
  • New carbon market frameworks, aligning the UN Carbon Market with scientific guidance and opening opportunities for agriculture to both contribute to and benefit from carbon credit mechanisms.
  • Adoption of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), with a clear shift from planning to implementation.
  • Operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, supporting countries most affected by climate impacts.
  • Biodiversity and nature credits: emerging initiatives explore certification systems and nature-based crediting as innovative financing tools.
These developments underscore the importance for Agrinatura to reinforce its advocacy efforts, strengthen research–development linkages, and expand partnerships to support climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural transformation.
     Agrinatura EEIG Projects  
    Agrinatura EEIG continues to implement impactful projects in sustainable     agriculture, education, and research. Some updates below.
Strengthening VCA4D Community of Practice on Agri-Food Value Chain Analysis 
From 17–21 November 2025, the EU-funded Agrinatura VCA4D project had the pleasure of hosting the Agri-Food Value Chain Analysis (AFA) Software Training for economists involved in VCA4D studies.
The objective of this training was to grow and strengthen the community of practitioners using the AFA software, ensuring a solid supply of expertise and guaranteeing the quality, consistency, completeness, and dissemination of economic indicators across VCA4D studies.
 
Call for experts: Comparative analysis of mango, cashew, fisheries and rice value chains in Guinea Bissau 
The VCA4D project launches a new call for experts (economic, social, environmental and national) to set-up a dashboard of common indicators and perform a comparative analysis of the mango, cashew, fisheries and rice value chains in Guinea Bissau.  The period for the activity is December 2025 – March 2026.
The profiles are detailed here
If you are interested and available, please send the CVs of candidates to vca4d@agrinatura-eu.eu and giorgia.mei@agrinatura-eu.eu
by Friday, 5th December 2025.
Call for Expressions of Interest: Join the AU–EU IRC on FNSSA Functional Working Groups

The International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food, Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) is inviting eligible networks to co-lead and co-design AU–EU R&I actions through its six Functional Working Groups (FWGs). These FWGs are the engine of the FNSSA 2027–2036 Roadmap, driving research, education, policy, innovation, and funding across Africa and Europe.
Who can apply: Networks of actors across the AU–EU R&I space, including research institutions, civil society, agri-businesses, youth/women-led organizations, and more that align with the IRC’s principles of co-ownership, inclusivity, and adaptive learning.
Apply now to contribute to joint agendas, investment alignment, and policy impact. Read more here.
 
Call for Expressions of Interest: Become an IRC Anchor Institution
The AU–EU IRC on Food, Nutrition Security & Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) is inviting institutions to apply as Anchor Institutions; regional hubs supporting coordination, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing across Africa and Europe.
Who can apply: Institutions active in AU–EU Research and Innovation committed to inclusive, sustainable food systems.
Why join: Support the FNSSA Roadmap 2027–2036 by expanding networks, aligning policies, and driving regional impact.
Read more here.
 
News from Our Members
 
WUR   
 
Global Forest Watch’s (GFW) deforestation alerts 
Global Forest Watch’s (GFW) deforestation alerts provide information about loss of tree cover in near-real-time, making them a critical tool for those working to combat deforestation. Existing alerts on GFW have been used to help Indigenous and local communities protect their forests, halt and prosecute environmental crimes and protect threatened wildlife.
Now, new drivers of deforestation alerts data is available on GFW that shows the causes of alerts across the tropics. This innovative data set uses an AI method to assign drivers to GFW’s integrated deforestation alerts in the three major forested regions in the tropics, allowing users to see what’s driving loss in near-real-time in these regions for the first time.
Critically, this information helps users distinguish between tree cover loss from natural and human causes, enabling more targeted action from those managing forests and reducing the need for costly field visits. Further, the data also provides more rapid information to estimate ecological impacts and supports better understanding of carbon emissions related to forest disturbances.
The data covers the three major forest basins of the tropics in the Amazon, Congo and Indonesia, which cover around one third of the world’s land surface and include 80% of the world’s tropical forests.
More here.
SLU 
 
SLU researchers co-lead FAO report on climate, forests and agriculture launched at COP30 
SLU researchers Paul Egan and Aida Bargués Tobella have been main contributors in the FAO report, “Climate and Ecosystem Service Benefits of Forests and Trees for Agriculture”. The report was launched during COP30, 19 November, both online and onsite in Belém.
Their work underscores that fully tapping into the value of forests and biodiversity is vital for agriculture—especially as climate change heightens the urgency for integrated landscape strategies that benefit both farmers and natural ecosystems.
The forthcoming launch event will kick-start a broader discussion on how to scale up initiatives that foster mutually reinforcing connections between agriculture and forests during a time of accelerating environmental change.
Even with these significant advantages, global policies and development agendas often fail to acknowledge how forests support agriculture, frequently presenting conservation and food production as competing goals. The new FAO report—produced by more than 40 experts from 25 organisations and significantly shaped by the insights of Paul Egan and Aida Bargués Tobella—aims to shift this perspective. It brings together global evidence showing that forest-derived ecosystem services play an active and essential role in achieving productive, resilient, and sustainable agriculture.
Report here.
 
KIT 
 
Closing the Living Income Gap for smallholder farmers in Global value chains 
In global supply chain context, the Living Income (LI) concept is increasingly recognised as a key indicator for understanding poverty. It has grown importance particularly when it comes institutional due diligence, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and private sector sustainability programmes. Yet, several methodological questions still surround the use of this LI concept. How can we establish credible benchmarks cost-effectively? How do we measure household income rigorously at scale? And how do we ensure alignment across sectors and regions?
More here.
CIRAD 
 
Why legality is important in fighting deforestation in the Amazon
The 4-page Perspective is a CIRAD’s Policy Brief, designed to fuel the debate, to influence ideas and to support decision-making.
Perspective N°67 – Why legality is important in fighting deforestation in the Amazon – Marie-Gabrielle Piketty, David Katz Asprilla, Guido Briceño Castillo, John Camacho, Marion Chesnes, Lilian Blanc
Over the past decade, there has been an increasing number of commitments to curb deforestation in tropical areas, with highly variable results depending on the region. Based on a case study in the Colombian Amazon, we show that making a distinction between legal and illegal deforestation, which most deforestation monitoring systems overlook, is essential and that it is crucial to involve different levels of governance when implementing zero-deforestation commitments.
Find all the issues of Perspective here.
Towards systemic support for agricultural mechanisation in sub-Saharan Africa

Perspective N°68 Towards systemic support for agricultural mechanisation in sub-Saharan Africa – Bakker, T., & Pugeaux, P. (2025).
Agricultural mechanisation and motorisation play an important role in reducing the arduousness of work, boosting its productivity and contributing to food security, but are as yet little used in sub-Saharan Africa. Equipment is sometimes ill-suited, difficult to access or rapidly abandoned, for want of training, spare parts or functional maintenance services. The latest issue of Perspective makes recommendations for rethinking operations in support of mechanisation.
More here.
WUR – FiBL 
 
Implementing Systems-Based Breeding: Lessons from the LIVESEED Project 
A new peer-reviewed article in JAFSCD by Edwin Nuijten (Wageningen University) and colleagues from FiBL, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Polytechnic University of Valencia, INRAE, and WUR explores how systems-based breeding can foster resilient and sustainable crop production.
Organic breeders must balance high yield, quality, resource efficiency, and climate robustness with ethical and ecological values. The study identifies five supportive pillars to achieve this:
– Increasing social awareness and reflection
– Developing alternative financing approaches
– Advancing breeding methods
– Integrating interdisciplinary learning
– Strengthening links between social and natural sciences
The authors call for a shift from short-term market focus to long-term ecological and societal sustainability in agri-food systems.
More here.
ECDPM

AI in Africa: How are Africans using AI to accelerate development?

The global conversation on Artificial Intelligence is often dominated by a Big Tech narrative of massive datasets and ever-more-powerful generative models. But what does AI mean for the developmental needs and priorities of countries in Africa? Is it a distraction from pressing issues like access to clean water and food security, or a tool to leapfrog these very challenges?
In this episode of ‘Europolis: the Global Europe podcast’, Chloe Teevan talks to Melody Musoni to explore how African innovators, researchers, and policymakers are shaping an AI ecosystem that responds to local realities. It highlights a shift from being consumers of technology to producers of homegrown solutions that are already transforming sectors like agriculture, health, and education.
The discussion tackles the two sides of the AI debate in Africa: the pessimists, who worry about risks like data bias and the push from Big Tech for profit, and the optimists, who see a chance to tackle long-standing challenges. A central theme is that African countries are determined not to be left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution as they were in the past.
More here.
Calls for contributions
Ireland’s EU Presidency provides the opportunity to take part in a public consultation until 12 December, to provide observations, suggestions, and reflections on how Ireland can best fulfil its EU Presidency role in 2026.
From 1 July to 31 December 2026, Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). The Government is seeking views from domestic stakeholders and the Irish public on the development of Ireland’s Presidency priorities and policy programme. 
Through these consultations, the Government is seeking to gather observations, suggestions, and reflections on how Ireland can best fulfil its Presidency role; ensure the Presidency policy programme is informed by diverse perspectives from across Irish society; and identify EU-wide issues, themes, and policy areas that should be given particular attention during Ireland’s Presidency.
More here.
 
Global & Policy Events
 
21, 25 November, and 4 December 2025: FAO FutureFood-I Foresight Workshops on Gender Equality in Agrifood Innovation Systems. FAO is launching a participatory foresight initiative focused on the roles, needs, and empowerment of women across the entire Agrifood Innovation System (AIS) toward 2050 and beyond. More information here.
 
3-5 December 2025 – British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) Annual Conference on Resilients soils for a sustainable future. Manchester. More here
The event will highlight 13 “EWA Innovators,” women-led startups and projects in agri-food, and includes panel discussions, investor pitches, networking, and startup showcases.  
Resources & New Publications 
 
Climate adaptation is often perceived as a cost to be managed rather than an investment to be scaled. Yet growing evidence shows that well-designed adaptation investments generate strong returns – from safeguarding productive assets and stabilizing fiscal systems, to creating jobs, raising incomes and strengthening rural economies.
This publication by IFAD reframes adaptation as a strategic investment, demonstrating how climate-smart and nature-positive solutions, particularly in agriculture and food systems, deliver high benefit-cost ratios, reduce the macroeconomic risks of inaction and create conditions to crowd-in private capital.
By outlining practical financial models, suitable instruments, and a structured approach to valuing avoided losses and resilience co-benefits, the publication provides policymakers and financiers with a roadmap to scale adaptation finance and convert climate risks into sustainable economic opportunity.
Global demand for food is expected to nearly double by 2050. Alternative proteins (AP) have been proposed as a sustainable solution to provide food security as natural resources become more depleted. However, the growth and consumer intake of AP remains limited. This review aims to better understand the challenges and environmental impacts of four main AP categories: plant-based, insect-based, microbe-derived, and cultured meat and seafood. The environmental benefits of plant-based and insect-based proteins have been documented but the impacts of microbe-derived proteins and cultured meat have not been fully assessed. The development of alternative products with nutritional and sensory profiles similar to their conventional counterparts remains highly challenging. Furthermore, incomplete safety assessments and a lack of clear regulatory guidelines confuse the food industry and hamper progress. Much still needs to be done to fully support AP utilization within the context of supporting the drive to make the global food system sustainable.
Irish Aid Annual Report 2024 highlights how Ireland continues to champion global efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition, and works towards food system transformation. Partnerships include IFPRI, CGIAR, Crop Trust and the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition. See pages 34 – 36

The Joint Research Centre‘s new report “Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) for Food, Food Services and Vending Machines” marks a milestone, taking EU beyond a “green-only” focus to a truly integrated tool for sustainability.
Incorporating sustainability aspects in public food procurement implies a comprehensive understanding of food systems, addressing environmental impacts, public health, social benefits as well as competitiveness and innovation. Public authorities need to procure food and services that offer the best value for money, while also balancing these sustainability objectives. Criteria to be included in public tenders thus need to be drafted strategically, also accounting for specific market conditions.
This report presents potential sustainability criteria for public procurement of food, food services, and vending machines, serving as inspiration for public authorities who want to offer healthy and sustainable food and wish to reward sustainability efforts by European farmers, the food industry, and service providers in their procurement projects. The criteria are presented as a comprehensive list encompassing the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. Competent authorities and contracting entities have the option to voluntarily incorporate these sustainability criteria into tenders, adapting them when necessary to meet specific priorities and needs. When appropriate, the criteria are accompanied by concrete examples of sustainable public procurement to illustrate their application in practical contexts.
This FAO report is an essential resource for understanding long-term trends in forest resources and how they relate to global goals and targets, including those on biodiversity, climate and sustainable land use. With its transparent methodology and broad scope, the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 is the only worldwide assessment based on official national data. It is, therefore, the most authoritative global source of data for policymakers, foresters, researchers and anyone wanting to know the past, present and future of the world’s forests.
FRA 2025 data were collected using commonly agreed terms and definitions and guidelines through a transparent, traceable reporting process and a well-established network of officially nominated national correspondents that covers 194 countries and areas.
This starter kit produced by the European Research Executive Agency  is a practical guide to support research and innovation (R&I) projects maximise the economic and societal impact of their results through D&E activities. The starter kit serves as a resource to explore key tools to help projects fulfil D&E expectations under Horizon Europe.
The European Union and Switzerland have signed the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, and the Euratom Research & Training (R&T) programme. The agreement places Swiss researchers and organisations on the same footing as those in EU Member States: they may lead consortia, receive direct EU funding, and access all thematic pillars and instruments of the programmes. It opens new capacity for pooling talent, research infrastructures and industrial capabilities across borders, accelerating progress on climate solutions, digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, health innovation and energy security. This step strengthens Europe’s position as a global centre for high-impact scientific and technological development.

The agreement was signed today in Bern by Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, and Guy Parmelin, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, and takes effect retroactively as of 1 January 2025.
It also establishes Switzerland as a member of Fusion for Energy starting in 2026, which will allow Swiss researchers and industry to contribute to ITER, the world’s most significant international fusion energy project. Association to Erasmus+ is planned for 2027. In addition, once the Agreement on Health enters into force, Switzerland will be able to participate in the EU4Health programme.
Call for contributions 
Ireland’s EU Presidency provides the opportunity to take part in a public consultation until 12 December, to provide observations, suggestions, and reflections on how Ireland can best fulfil its EU Presidency role in 2026.
From 1 July to 31 December 2026, Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). The Government is seeking views from domestic stakeholders and the Irish public on the development of Ireland’s Presidency priorities and policy programme. 
Through these consultations, the Government is seeking to gather observations, suggestions, and reflections on how Ireland can best fulfil its Presidency role; ensure the Presidency policy programme is informed by diverse perspectives from across Irish society; and identify EU-wide issues, themes, and policy areas that should be given particular attention during Ireland’s Presidency.
Partners across regions globally  
This section highights collaborations and policy developments in R&I involving partner institutions across regions of the Global South.

G20 Summit – Johannesburg, South Africa, 22–23 November 2025 
The first-ever G20 Summit held on African soil gathered world leaders in Johannesburg under the theme “solidarity, equality and sustainability.” Discussions focused on global instability, growing inequalities and the need to reinforce multilateral cooperation. Leaders committed to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, addressing debt vulnerabilities—especially in low-income countries—and advancing international tax cooperation to support development financing.
Reform of the international financial architecture featured prominently, with support for stronger, more interoperable multilateral development banks capable of mobilising greater public and private investment. On trade, leaders reaffirmed the key role of the WTO and the importance of fair, rules-based global trade.
Climate and disaster resilience were central topics, including commitments to strengthen disaster risk reduction, accelerate the just energy transition, and scale up financing for renewable energy, particularly in developing countries. Leaders also voiced alarm over global hunger levels and called for more resilient and inclusive food systems, with support for smallholders and open agricultural trade.
On longer-term transitions, the G20 endorsed a framework for critical minerals, highlighting Africa’s key role in future clean energy value chains. Leaders also committed to safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence, including support for the new “AI for Africa” initiative.
Finally, the summit reiterated the importance of reducing inequality, expanding social protection systems, advancing gender equality, and strengthening multilateralism with the UN at its core.
Leaders declaration here.
European Union-African Union summit, 24-25 November 2025 – Key takeaways 

On 24-25 November 2025, the leaders of the European Union (EU) member states and the countries of the African Union (AU) met in Luanda, Angola for the seventh EU-African Union summit.
The 7th AU–EU Summit reaffirmed the Joint Vision 2030 and celebrated 25 years of partnership, highlighting strengthened cooperation on sustainable development, climate action and economic transformation. Leaders welcomed significant progress under the Global Gateway Africa–Europe Investment Package, with renewed emphasis on inclusive, sustainable value chains and the acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Trade-related cooperation will intensify, including dialogue on environmental measures (CBAM, EUDR), support for regulatory reforms, and assistance to African exporters in sustainably managing natural resources.
Agriculture and food systems were confirmed as shared strategic priorities. The Summit endorsed commitments toward climate-resilient agriculture, aligned with CAADP and EU agricultural visions, and referenced the outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit +4. Both sides stressed the importance of transforming agrifood systems for nutrition, jobs and sustainability.
Climate cooperation featured prominently, with renewed commitment to the Paris Agreement, adaptation, carbon markets, and the New Collective Quantified Goal of USD 300 billion/year by 2035, scaling to USD 1.3 trillion/year. Leaders supported African climate initiatives including the African Agriculture Adaptation Initiative.
On research, innovation, youth and skills, the Summit endorsed stronger cooperation among universities and research organisations, reinforcing education, science and technology as engines of sustainable development.
Commitments were also made on biodiversity, sustainable blue economy development, and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Overall, the Summit provided a reinforced framework for AU–EU collaboration in sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, research partnerships and food systems transformation—areas central to Agrinatura’s mission.
Contributors to this newsletter:
Joshua Muhumuza, Communications Coordinator, NRI; Lauranne Cox, Communications Advisor, KIT Institute; Nicoletta Maestrini, Digital Marketing and Digital Education Expert, FiBL; CEA First and VC4D teams.
AGRINATURA brings together European universities and research organizations united by a shared commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural development and improving people’s livelihoods. The network focuses on initiatives that create new opportunities for farmers, strengthen food security, and foster innovation across the agro-food sector — all while reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural activities. Through their collective expertise and experience in agricultural research and education for development, AGRINATURA members actively contribute to building more resilient and sustainable food systems worldwide. https://agrinatura-eu.eu
 
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