Check out the IRN’s latest newsletter looking back on the activities achieved in the last half of 2024 and introducing their network’s two new co-chairs from New Zealand and Samoa!

Read it HERE.

Hosted by New Zealand and co-sponsored by Australia, the United States, Canada, and Peru. This workshop series focused on gathering young emerging leaders working in their communities to share their experiences and explore indigenous-led measures to reduce the impact of climate change on food systems and food security. 

The first workshop was online in November 2023 and the second workshop was in-person on 14 August 2024 in Trujillo, Peru. The workshop series report exploring the outcomes of this project is now available HERE.

For more information contact the Project Overseer, Shiloh Babbington at [email protected]

The Feed Additives Flagship Project, led by the Feed and Nutrition Network (FNN) of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases and funded by the Global Dairy Platform, has released a groundbreaking collection of Technical Guidelines. The project aims to accelerate the development and implementation of methane-reducing feed additives to significantly reduce greenhouse gases emissions from ruminants. The Technical Guidelines will help scientists and industry leaders develop effective feed additives to mitigate enteric methane emissions.

The “Technical guidelines to develop and implement methane-reducing feed additives for ruminants” webinar recording is available HERE!

The Qinisa Initiative at Future Africa hosted a high-profile delegation on 17 January 2025, including the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, Prof. Francis Petersen, and New Zealand High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Philip Richard Hewitt. The Initiative fosters regional collaboration in agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation by enhancing research, innovation, and information-sharing across Southern Africa.

During the visit, delegates toured the Qinisa measurement hub, a flagship project supported by the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA). The hub provides advanced GHG measurement capabilities, complementing external facilities like the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi. High Commissioner Hewitt praised the initiative as a milestone in climate change mitigation and reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to capacity-building in the region.

Prof. Petersen acknowledged the contributions of key stakeholders, including the GRA, the New Zealand government, and leading researchers, in equipping the University of Pretoria with state-of-the-art GHG measurement tools. He emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and scientifically grounded solutions to ensure sustainable outcomes.

Experts at the event, including Prof. Wanda Markotter, Dr Linde du Toit, and Dr Ackim Mwape, highlighted the role of Qinisa in integrating data, coordinating related programs, and supporting governments in tracking Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets. Prof. Frans Swanepoel stressed the need for prioritizing livestock-related GHG mitigation, given its significant contribution to emissions and its importance to rural livelihoods.

The visit served as a strong endorsement of the Qinisa Initiative’s mission to strengthen partnerships, build regional research capacity, and develop targeted interventions for reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint while improving livelihoods.

Click HERE for more information and to view the videos.

Croplands Research Group webinar recording available HERE!

This webinar provides the main definition of agroecology and agroforestry at the global level and the current extent of agroecology and agroforestry at EU and global levels. The connection of sustainable farming systems such as agroforestry and the link to climate change and bioeconomy are highlighted.

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is an independent nonprofit established by Congress to support innovative science addressing today’s food and agriculture challenges and complement the research mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. FFAR was created in the 2014 Farm Bill as a mechanism to spur innovation in food and agriculture research by forming unique public-private partnerships.

FFAR invites experts across the agricultural sciences to review grant proposals within topic areas according to their expertise. We are currently recruiting peer reviewers for the 2025 New Innovator Award, which provides early career scientists the investment needed to propel them into successful research careers.

The success of the peer review process depends on the willingness of qualified reviewers like you to share your time and expertise. You will be asked to review up to five (5) proposals in April – May 2025. In appreciation for completing the reviews, an honorarium will be provided to eligible, non-government employees.

To participate and receive more information, please complete the following 2-minute survey by February 28, 2025 to confirm that we can count on you to make this review process successful. We hope you consider this opportunity to work with FFAR as we strive to support innovative agricultural research.

Click here to complete the survey

If you are unable to review for FFAR at this time, please consider nominating other experts who may serve as potential reviewers. Thank you in advance for your support, and we look forward to hearing from you!

For more information regarding the New Innovator Award program, please contact Dr. LaKisha Odom at [email protected]. For any questions related to the peer review process, please contact Samar Ahmed at [email protected].

Sincerely, 

FFAR Scientific Program Staff