Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Science and innovation for women farmers: Pathways to climate-resilient, multifunctional agri-food systems

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany

Abstract

To transform agricultural and food systems into climate-resilient, multifunctional systems, we need the right levers and actors for change - and women farmers are among the most critical of these. As producers, entrepreneurs, custodians of biodiversity and drivers of resilient local economies, they are central to achieving the objectives of all three Rio Conventions.
Yet women farmers continue to face systemic barriers: limited access to land, finance, technologies, services and markets, compounded by unpaid care work and harmful socio-cultural norms.
Science has a crucial role to play in addressing these barriers and enabling women to shape agri-food systems. German development cooperation works closely with international research institutions to co-develop, test and scale gender-transformative approaches.
On the occasion of the United Nations' International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, this 90-minute session brings together the voices of women farmers, youth representatives, academia and practitioners.
The discussion will focus on scientific solutions and scaling pathways to advance gender-responsive, inclusive agri-food systems by 2030 - and how research, policy and practice can work together more effectively to achieve this. Speakers and panelists from science, policy, youth networks and German development cooperation will discuss priorities for research and scaling.

Welcome: Aliénor De Cuypère, GIZ
Opening remarks: Theresa Herbold, BMZ
Impulse: Elizabeth Nsimadala, President of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation and Elizabeth Maanda Sianga, award-winning Agronomist, Farmer and Founder of Agro Queens, Zambia (online)
Evidence input: Karen Nortje, IWMI
Panel discussion:
• Adeola O. Olajide, University of Ibadan
• Frank Rasche, IITA
• Genna Tesdall, YPARD
• Janna Luisa Pieper, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Stéphane De Mfouangoum, GIZ
Open discussion with audience: Aliénor De Cuypère, GIZ and panel

Keywords: Agricultural innovation, climate-resilient agri-food systems, gender equality, gender-responsive research, gender-transformative approaches, science-policy dialogue, women farmers

Contact Address: Theresa Herbold, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dahlmannstr. 4, 53113 Bonn, Germany, e-mail: Theresa.Herboldbmz.bund.de