GAIN’s Uduak Igbeka joins Global South Experts on new Commission on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is pleased to announce that Uduak Igbeka, Country Support Manager for the SUN Business Network (SBN), a network co-convened by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) will sit as an expert in the new Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification (CoSAI). She will join twenty one experts from across the Global South to serve as a CoSAI Commissioner to collect and assess evidence to accelerate the urgently needed transformation of agriculture. 

Uduak Igbeka has been at GAIN for almost 9 years, working across large scale food fortification, home fortification, promotion of biofortified crops, social behaviour change communication and a wide spectrum of public-private engagements in nutrition."Being selected as a CoSAI Commissioner is a great honour and I am excited to work closely with my peers to find practical solutions to issues surrounding the intensification of sustainable agriculture in Africa", said Uduak Igbeka. 

Initiated by the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), CoSAI will work over 18 months to guide investments in agricultural innovation. 

Being selected as a CoSAI Commissioner is a great honour and I am excited to work closely with my peers.

Uduak Igbeka, Country Support Manager, SUN Business Network (SBN)

Progress toward feeding growing global populations, while protecting the natural environment is behind schedule, according to a major recent study that calls for a "ruthless focus" on solutions. It follows a growing body of evidence on the imperative need to improve food security and nutrition, protect biodiversity, reduce poverty and bolster climate resilience, all themes which are closely aligned with GAIN’s mission. In response to these challenges, CoSAI commissioners are setting out to fill persistent evidence gaps to support policy-makers and private sector investors to boost investments in innovation and accelerate progress toward sustainable intensification of agriculture (SAI). Their efforts will complement insights derived from past commissions and studies on agriculture, food and the environment.

Uduak Igbeka has been at GAIN for almost 9 years, working across large scale food fortification, home fortification, promotion of biofortified crops, social behaviour change communication and a wide spectrum of public-private engagements in nutrition. © Uduak Igbeka

"Our 22 newly appointed commissioners include some of the most eminent experts and decision-makers from Africa, Asia and Latin America," said Dr. Ruben Echeverría, chair of CoSAI. "They are uniquely placed to bring to light the challenges the Global South is facing in developing and adopting innovations that can help meet our food needs, whilst regenerating the natural environment."

The results of CoSAI’s work will guide global and national decision makers to support approaches to innovation that boost food production and access, ensure natural environments thrive, and reduce poverty and inequality.

Our 22 newly appointed commissioners include some of the most eminent experts and decision-makers from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Dr Ruben Echeverría, chair Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification (CoSAI)

CoSAI will have its official launch in June, in a global web event, featuring prominent experts sharing their insights on the Global South’s food future.