Food and Agriculture
Making agriculture and food systems more equitable, resilient, and sustainable is key to addressing many of the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges—from hunger and poverty to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Agriculture and food systems are key to sustainable development. They feed us and provide livelihoods for a significant share of the world’s population. We need to ensure they can continue to sustain future generations—without harming the natural environment upon which they depend.
IISD works with policy-makers and practitioners to help establish laws, policies, and institutions that ensure agriculture and food systems advance sustainable development.
We support the establishment of legal and policy frameworks that encourage responsible private sector investment in agriculture and food systems, particularly in low-income developing countries. We support the negotiation of multilateral trade rules for more equitable and sustainable international trade in food and agricultural products. And we seek to inform better use of public policies and spending—including official development assistance and domestic subsidies—to incentivize sustainable agriculture, tackle food insecurity, and promote sustainable food systems.
To achieve these objectives, we work with a range of stakeholders in developing countries and regions, and at the international level. We provide advice and training to governments and regional bodies; we produce practical tools and guidance for governments, investors, and civil society; and we bring these stakeholders together to engage in inclusive dialogue and peer-to-peer learning.
This work is complemented by in-depth research conducted in collaboration with leading international organizations and research institutes. Together, we produce and disseminate evidence and recommendations to improve knowledge and inspire and inform action. This feeds into important international processes to develop rules, norms, principles, and targets aimed at achieving equitable and sustainable food systems for present and future generations.
Main Areas of Work
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Responsible Investment in Agriculture
IISD provides evidence, tools, training, and advice to promote responsible investments that drive the transition to more resilient and sustainable food systems.
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Fair and Sustainable Trade in Food and Agriculture
IISD conducts research and facilitates dialogue to help bring about trade rules that promote equitable and sustainable international trade in food and agricultural products.
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Food Systems Transformation
IISD helps governments design policies that incentivize sustainable farming practices and promote improved food security and nutrition.
Featured Resources
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The Responsible Agricultural Investment Tool for Agribusiness
This tool aims to support agribusinesses in aligning their practices, procedures, and operations with principles of responsible investment in agriculture and food systems.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_portrait_mobile/public/2023-10/model-contract-clauses-responsible-agriculture-investment.jpg?h=81630ad8&itok=2pNkBmd3)
The IISD Model Contract Clauses for Responsible Investment in Agriculture
Customizable legal provisions to help implement international best practices, principles, and guidance on responsible agricultural investment.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_portrait_mobile/public/publication/asean-guidelines.jpg?h=2df64183&itok=rsa-9cQ-)
ASEAN Guidelines for Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry
These guidelines, adopted by ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, focus on promoting responsible investment in the region's food, agriculture and forestry sectors.
Publications and Events
2024 Investment Policy Forum
The 16th edition of the International Institute for Sustainable Development's (IISD) Investment Policy Forum will be held in Manila, the Philippines, in October 2024.
The Case of Eco-Certification in Manitoba's Commercial Fisheries
Manitoba commercial fisheries stand to benefit from obtaining eco-certification.
LIMBUA Group Limited
This case study analyzes the extent to which a small agribusiness in Kenya complies with international standards for responsible investment in agriculture.
Mahembe Coffee
This case study analyzes the extent to which a small agribusiness in Rwanda complies with international standards for responsible investment in agriculture.
Experts
![Nathalie Bernasconi](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-08/nathalie-bernasconi-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=KsKWhiTx)
Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe
![cristina-larrea-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/cristina-larrea-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=0uFFko3N)
Cristina Larrea
Director, Agriculture and Sustainability Standards
![Photo of Sean Woolfrey](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-01/Sean-Woolfrey-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=YsKiKB_z)
Sean Woolfrey
Lead, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
![Headshot of Maria Barral](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-06/maria-barral-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=DMy8amo-)
Maria Barral
Communications Officer
![Steffany Bermudez headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2020-08/Steffany-Bermudez-2020_0.jpg?h=f8c048b6&itok=wjpY9IFa)
Steffany Bermúdez
Policy Advisor I
![Livia-Bizikova-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/Livia-Bizikova-2019.jpg?h=cd2a7045&itok=zrxcNRXj)
Livia Bizikova
Lead II, Monitoring and Governance, Tracking Progress
![facundo-calvo-id-picture](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-10/facundo-calvo-2021.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=T8J5fmSG)
Facundo Calvo
Policy Analyst, Trade and Agriculture
![Headshot of Sara](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-06/sara-elder-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=oWt3MceF)
Sara Elder
Senior Policy Advisor, Standards Workstream
![Erika Luna Perez, Junior Policy Analyst, IISD](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-05/erika-luna-perez-2022-a.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=55S0-Oet)
Erika Luna
Policy Analyst
![Photo of Nyaguthii Maina](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-02/nyaguthii-maina-2023_0.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=KKM380sd)
Nyaguthii Maina
Associate
![iisd](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-11/claire-mcconnell-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=YISmbQ7A)
Claire McConnell
Policy Advisor
![woman with dark brown hair smiling against a dark background](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-04/sally-millett-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=v1RVQ25l)
Sally Millett
Communications Manager
![Hafiz Mirza](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-08/hafiz-mirza-2021.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=3Dd2pJSe)
Hafiz Mirza
Lead, Responsible Agricultural Investment Research
![Florencia Sarmiento, IISD Policy Analyst](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-04/florencia-sarmiento-2022a.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=C5TMoHkl)
Florencia Sarmiento
Policy Advisor
![Photo of Ronald Tundang](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-12/ronald-tundang-2021_1.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=sVvuXfTI)
Ronald Tundang
Associate
![profile-default-img_3_0_0_0.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-10/profile-default-img_3_0_0_0.jpg?h=4626e670&itok=CZmrQluk)
Rupal Verma
Policy Analyst II
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