Agriculture is the main source of income for several hundred million people around the world who struggle with poverty and hunger, most of whom are connected to small-scale, or smallholder, farms which collectively supply most food in developing communities.

Agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity, and feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050. Growth in the agriculture sector is two to four times more effective in raising incomes among the poorest compared to other sectors and is crucial to economic growth.

But agriculture-driven growth, poverty reduction, and food security are at risk due to multiple shocks from COVID-19 related disruptions to extreme weather, pests, and conflicts, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the impact of climate change which will reduce crop yeilds. In addition poor diets and food insecurity worsen diet quality and increase the risk of various forms of malnutrition and illness.

Join us at our Canberra event to hear sector leaders with diverse backgrounds share how they are working to improve food security

Speakers

ROBYN ALDERS, AO, BSc(Vet) Hons I, BVSc Hons I, DipVetClinStud., PhD

Robyn Alders AO is an Honorary Professor with the ANU Development Policy Centre, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences at the Royal Veterinary College in London and Veterinary Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts University. She is also a Senior Consulting Fellow with the Chatham House Global Health Programme. Robyn is a Commissioner with the Lancet–PPATS Commission on Prevention of Viral Spillover: reducing the risk of pandemics through primary prevention.

For over 30 years, she has worked closely with smallholder farmers and producers in sub-Saharan Africa, South and SE Asia and Oceania as a veterinarian, researcher and colleague, with an emphasis on the development of sustainable infectious disease control in animals in resource-limited areas in support of food and nutrition security, income generation, wildlife conservation and public health.

Robyn’s current research and development interests include food and nutrition security, One Health, gender equity and Science Communication.

Robyn has published over 190 publications including theses, scientific journal articles, conference proceedings, technical manuals, technical reports, development publications, extension material and articles in general interest magazines.