ChainLetter - January 2025 by IFAMA

The ChainLetter

The Newsletter of the International Food and Agribusiness Management

January 2025

IFAMA Board of Directors TABLE

OFFICERS

Aidan Connolly Raj Vardhan

ACADEMIA

Jack Bobo Esteban Brenes

Brian Briggeman Sylvain Charlebois

Jayson Lusk Edward Mabaya

Damien McLoughlin Bernardo Pizzardi

Loïc Sauvée Johan van Rooyen

Longbao Wei

INDUSTRY | GOVERNMENT | NGO

Yvonne Colomer Robert Erhard

Ronald Guendel Catherine Keogh

Yoav Levsky Peter Maes

Nicola Shadbolt Mary Shelman

COUNSELORS

Marcos Fava Neves Hector Laurence

Woody Maijers Brent Ross

IFAMA

Jack Keeys Verena Otter

Anathi Makamane Chiko Chiobvu

Tatevik Avetisyan Rebecca Bennett

Jorge Bittner Ebenezer Bold

Vinícius Cambaúva Mateusz Ciasnocha

Jessica Souto Addie Spolyar

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

AIDAN CONNOLLY

IFAMA President

In a world facing increasing concerns about the warming climate, food insecurity and the sustainability of our food system, the centrality of IFAMA’s role has never been greater. Agribusiness and the food chain needs talent leaders, empowered with the skills to make our food system resilient with a place to develop those skills and a network of people who will make the difference.

Following from the momentum from the excellent IFAMA 2024 World Conference in Spain, we now look forward to even greater success in Brazil. Brazilian agriculture leads the world in 32 agricultural commodity categories and has demonstrated an ability to innovate and reinvent itself in the face of different challenges. This year, Brazilian agriculture has faced unprecedented droughts and fires on the farms, and sadly also in the primary forests. Brazil’s

agricultural dominance makes it essential for food and agriculture professionals to visit Brazil now, and the IFAMA 2025 World Conference in Ribeirão Preto provides the ideal opportunity to experience this powerhouse firsthand.

Artificial intelligence continues to be the subject du jour. While few people have claimed to fully appreciate the ways in which it will change our world, it is certainly going to change the nature of farming and farm work— just as it is already doing in the food business.

So how does IFAMA lead within this new world, where the skills and talents required are changing so fundamentally?

IFAMA is a clearinghouse for new ideas, positioned to understand the changing needs of consumers, food retailers and the food business, but also in the ways the business of farming can meet those needs. Today’s challenges bring new concerns: Climate change and its unpredictability, sustainability, respect for humans and animal welfare. Food systems must go beyond mere affordability and safety. For this reason, the role that IFAMA plays has never been more important.

As we step into 2025, please join us. We invite you to contribute to our upcoming IFAMR publications, join or suggest a webinar, and bring more members to IFAMA. Your expertise and network help us all through strengthening our collective impact.

Your President,

Aidan Connolly aconnolly@agritechcapital.com

WhatsApp +18594943978

LET’S CELEBRATE YOU!

When you have a big moment in your career, email ifama@ifama.org with your name, location, and a brief mention of your newsworthy event so we can celebrate with you in our next newsletter. See page 21.

Examples include: a promotion, the initiation or completion a project/initiative, securing funding/grant, publishing an article/book, speaking at an event, winning an award or other recognition, competing in a challenge, or volunteering in career-centric role.

YOUNG BOARD UPDATE

Driving Global Connections and Career Growth

JACK KEEYS

Chair, IFAMA Young Board; j_keeys@outlook.co.nz

READY TO JUMP IN?

Whether you’re interested in our programs or want to join a regional network committee, reach out to Chair, Jack Keeys for connections in your area and follow our social channels for updates and future opportunities.

The IFAMA Young Board has been on fire over the last six months!

Our Almería, IFAMA 2024 World Conference featured two breakthrough events: a doublesold-out Quiz Night and packed Career Speed Networking session. Both events sparked international connections and earned rave reviews from participants.

We’ve also launched our International Mentoring Program, matching 12 pairs for year-long mentoring relationships and hosted a very successful online competition in November, the Venture Building Challenge. Meanwhile, our Young Professional Networks are continuing to expand globally, hosting events across every continent.

As we gear up for IFAMA 2025 in Brazil, we’re eager to hear your ideas and feedback. Our door is always open!

The IFAMA Young Board wishes the entire IFAMA global network a brilliant 2025.

At the Young Board’s first Quiz Night. Over 100 attendees gathered at a local eatery for a fun, competitive evening of agribusiness trivia.

Top: In five 8-minute rotations during the Speed Networking event, ag companies met over 150 candidates under age 35, showcasing their brand and building connections.

Bottom: Mary Shelman, Mary Shelman Group, is pictured with her mentee Giana Mores, PhD from Brazil in the IFAMA Young Board’s International Mentoring Program.

BRAZILIAN AGRIBUSINESS

A Global Powerhouse Welcomes IFAMA 2025

MARCOS FAVA NEVES

Harven Agribusiness School, São Paulo University

ROBERTO FAVA SCARE

Harven Agribusiness School,

Markestrat Agribusiness

DAIANA BISOGNIN

LOPES

FB Group

Brazil has emerged as an unrivaled force in global agriculture, with its agribusiness sector powering nearly one-third of the national GDP, generating 30% of jobs, and dominating multiple agricultural export markets. As the country prepares to host IFAMA 2025 in Ribeirão Preto, it offers a unique window into the future of sustainable agriculture.

THE AGRICULTURAL ADVANTAGE

Brazil’s agricultural success stems from its natural endowments. Spanning 8.5 million km² across five distinct climatic regions, the country supports diverse production systems from coffee in the highlands of Minas Gerais to soybeans in the Cerrado. This geographic diversity, combined with advanced farming practices, enables up to three annual harvests—a competitive advantage few nations can match.

TRADE LEADERSHIP AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2023, Brazil’s agricultural exports reached USD 167 billion, nearly half the country’s total exports of USD 340 billion. With agricultural

Moderate temperatures, consistent rainfall, high altitudes in key regions like Minas Gerais and São Paulo, and rich soil, are all ideal conditions for the Arabica coffee plant to thrive, and allow for Brazil to be the world’s largest coffee producer.

imports of just USD 17 billion, the sector generated a remarkable USD 150 billion trade surplus, effectively counterbalancing deficits in other sectors. Brazil now commands 39% of global soybean production, with output increasing 60% in the past decade.

SUSTAINABILITY AT SCALE

Brazil has successfully married large-scale production with environmental stewardship. The country’s Forest Code stands as one of the world’s most comprehensive frameworks for agricultural sustainability, requiring farmers to maintain significant portions of their land as natural reserves. This commitment extends to renewable energy, with 45% of Brazil’s energy

matrix now coming from renewable sources, including sugarcane-based ethanol.

RIBEIRÃO PRETO—THE HEART OF AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION

IFAMA 2025’s host city, Ribeirão Preto, embodies Brazil’s agricultural leadership. It is home to Harven Agribusiness School and it is a hub for agricultural research and

Brazil is the world’s top soybean producer, accounting for 39% of global production. The country’s soybean production has increased by almost 60% in the last decade.

INNOVATION AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Brazilian agriculture has evolved through consistent innovation. The country pioneers climate-adaptive practices including:

• No-till farming systems that preserve soil health

• Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration combining production methods

• Precision agriculture utilizing AI and automation

• Advanced irrigation systems optimizing water use

• Biotechnology developing climateresilient crops

development. The city also hosts Agrishow, one of the world’s top agricultural technology fairs, bridging research, industry, and practical farming.

THE BIOENERGY REVOLUTION

Brazil’s leadership in agricultural sustainability extends to bioenergy production. As the world’s second-largest biofuel producer and leader in sugarcane ethanol production, Brazil

offers a proven model for developing nations transitioning to cleaner energy systems. This expertise in bioenergy production demonstrates how agricultural innovation can address both food security and climate challenges.

LOOKING AHEAD

IFAMA 2025 arrives at a crucial moment in agricultural history. As global food demand rises and climate challenges intensify, Brazil’s

experience in scaling sustainable agriculture takes on new importance. The conference will showcase how Brazil balances productivity with environmental protection, offering vital lessons for global agricultural development.

For international professionals, academics, and entrepreneurs, IFAMA 2025 represents more than a conference—it’s an opportunity to engage directly with the future of sustainable agriculture. In Ribeirão Preto,

Nelore, a Zebu cattle known for its ability to thrive in hot weather and graze on native grasses, results in a lean beef product that is considered “grass-fed” due to the extensive pasture-based farming practices in Brazil.

participants will witness firsthand how Brazil’s agricultural sector combines innovation, sustainability, and productivity to address global food security challenges.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA); Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA); Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa)

A large portion of Brazil’s cotton is grown using sustainable practices, primarily relying on rainwater rather than irrigation, making Brazil a major supplier of environmentally conscious cotton products worldwide.

IFAMA 2025 WORLD CONFERENCE

22–27 June, in Brazil

Ribeirão Preto is a vibrant city located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Known as the “Capital of Agribusiness,” it plays a key role in Brazil’s agricultural and economic sectors, particularly in sugarcane, coffee, and ethanol production.

The IFAMA World Conference offers four unique tracks that are collectively designed to facilitate collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the solutions we need to enhance global agribusiness competitiveness in our regions.

STUDENT CASE COMPETITION

22–25 JUNE

The conference begins on Sunday, June 22 for students and young

professionals competing in the 2025 Student Case Competition (SCC). The competition structure has changed from previous years to give teams a full day for case analysis and provide the competitors more opportunities to participate in other activities occurring throughout the Symposium and Forum. (See page 9 for full details.)

Ribeirão Preto is considered the “Brazilian capital of agribusiness” due to its prominent role as a major center for sugarcane and ethanol production. It is also a significant hub for agricultural research and innovation.

ACADEMIC SYMPOSIUM

23–24 JUNE

The Academic Symposium and first-round judging for the Student Case Competition will occur on the campus of Harven Agribusiness School. Buses will transport attendees from key pick up spots on Monday and Tuesday.

The Symposium scientific reviewing committee is busy reviewing more than 225 papers, proposals and case studies from academics worldwide who are keen to present their research during the two-day Symposium. The Symposium will be filled with a variety of opportunities to collaborate and network with colleagues. A festive Welcome Reception will follow on Tuesday evening.

WORLD BUSINESS FORUM

25–26 JUNE

The capstone track of the Congress is the two-day Business Forum. It features hot topic discussions with high-level thought leaders, breakout panels, workshops, innovative exhibits, and cross-sector

networking. It concludes on Thursday evening with the IFAMA Presidential Banquet and Award Ceremonies.

POST CONFERENCE TOURS

27–JUNE

We have an exclusive technical excursion of the Ribeirão Preto region planned for conference attendees to visit some of Brazil’s most innovative agribusinesses and agricultural properties. This hands-on experience complements the conference program, giving you a unique glimpse into cutting edge technologies and practices that have established Brazil as a global agribusiness leader. Details coming soon.

June 23–26

Ribeirão Preto, SP | Brazil

Learn More

2025 Symposium Topics

Student Case Competition

Video Invitation

IFAMA 2025 KEY TOPICS

Innovations in Agriculture and Sustainability

• New technologies driving sustainability and regenerative agriculture success stories.

Digital Transformation

• Automation, AI, and digital tools revolutionizing agriculture and the food supply chain.

Renewable Energy

• Bioenergy innovations supporting the transition to renewable energy and sustainability.

Global Markets and Food Security

• Trends shaping food security and strategies for resilient food production.

Cooperatives and Associations

• Competitive advantages and innovative models in agribusiness collaboration.

Biotechnology and Precision Agriculture

• Breakthroughs enhancing productivity and sustainability.

Talent and Diversity

• Addressing labor shortages and promoting diversity in agribusiness.

A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE STUDENT CASE COMPETITION

Have you heard this before? The IFAMA Global Student Case Competition is the crown jewel of our industry.

We hear this phrase often, and for good reason. For 20 years, we have seen the incredible growth of this competition in our sector and know how it truly showcases the best and brightest minds entering agribusiness today.

Our competition brings together ambitious students and young professionals from top universities worldwide to tackle real-world agribusiness challenges. Whether you’re

an undergraduate, graduate student, or early career professional under 35, this is your chance to demonstrate your analytical prowess before global industry leaders.

For 2025, we’re excited to announce some significant improvements to enhance your competition experience. We’ve listened to your feedback, and here’s what’s changing: Teams will now have a full day for case analysis – a substantial increase from the previous 4-hour window. This change gives you more time to develop comprehensive solutions while also allowing you to participate in other valuable Symposium and Forum activities.

We’re particularly proud to welcome two prestigious sponsors for 2025: SLC Agrícola and Atvos. Each will provide distinctive case studies that reflect real challenges in today’s agribusiness landscape.

Ready to compete? Want to learn more? Visit our website for complete details. Questions? Email the SCC Chairs: conference@ifama.org.

COMING SOON

• Join our upcoming live webinar: (late February-early March) to learn competition strategies and get all of your questions answered.

• Plan Your Trip to IFAMA 2025: Everything you need to know about how to get there, lodging, budgets, etc.

IMPORTANT COMPETITION DATES

Saturday, June 21: Latest arrival in Ribeirão Preto

Sunday, June 22: Preliminary Round begins with morning briefing and case distribution. Teams prepare in hotel facilities

Monday, June 23: Morning presentations at Harven

Agribusiness School; Semifinals in afternoon

Wednesday-Thursday: Grand Finale Rounds at MultiPlex Hall

FREE Download the SCC Call for Teams.

One-Year IFAMA Student Membership

To compete in the SCC, you must be an IFAMA member. Great news— membership is FREE until Feb. 28, 2025! Details here.

IFAMA 2025 STUDENT CASE COMPETITION SPONSORS

SLC Agrícola leads Brazilian agriculture with large-scale, sustainable production of soybeans, corn, and cotton. Known for advanced technology and environmental stewardship, it’s a global model for modern farming. In 2024, SLC earned Elite InfoMoney recognition, Forbes Agro100 (39th), Globo Rural’s Best of Agribusiness Award, and Anefac’s Transparency Trophy. Committed to sustainability, it champions the Circular Connection Movement and has supported the UN Global Compact since 2015.

Atvos, a Brazilian leader in renewable energy, specializes in ethanol and bioelectricity production from sustainably cultivated sugarcane, significantly reducing carbon emissions. With a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, Atvos optimizes agricultural and industrial processes, advances circular economy initiatives, and delivers renewable energy solutions. By promoting sustainability and efficiency, Atvos plays a pivotal role in supporting the global transition to a greener, more sustainable future.

SCC Teams making it to the final round present their pitch before the entire Forum audience, and an international panel of judges which includes top executives from our corporate sponsors.

REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE – A CRITICAL REVIEW

RYELTO ZIMMER

Coordinator, agri benchmark Cash Crop, yelto.zimmer@agribenchmark.net

egenerative agriculture has become a popular concept, often heralded for its potential to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promote sustainable farming practices. Proponents advocate for key techniques such as cover cropping and reduced tillage, claiming that these methods can sequester carbon in the soil while improving farm profitability. However, a critical examination of the empirical evidence suggests that these claims are often exaggerated, with limited real-world applicability and effectiveness.

We as agri benchmark Cash Crop are well positioned to contribute to this debate, because we are a global network of crop production economists with access to a vast pool of data on diverse arable farming systems and a strong expertise in crop production systems and GHG mitigation strategies.

Cover cropping, which involves planting crops specifically to protect and enrich the soil during periods when it would otherwise be bare, is

a central feature of regenerative agriculture. While cover crops can provide environmental benefits, such as reducing erosion, enhancing soil health, and minimizing nutrient loss, their ability to sequester carbon is frequently overstated. Furthermore, the feasibility of cover crops and hence their potential to reduce GHG emissions depends heavily on regional climatic conditions. For example, in arid regions or locations with short growing seasons, cover crops are impractical or lead to diminished yields.

Reduced tillage is another key component of regenerative agriculture, promoted for its potential to store carbon in the soil and reduce fuel use. By minimizing soil disturbance, advocates argue, reduced tillage helps

In some cases, drones might help to make better use of nitrogen.

PHOTO BY INDIAMART.

retain organic matter, leading to improved soil structure and long-term carbon sequestration. However, scientific research challenges this benefit. Usually, the accumulation of carbon in the upper layers of the soil does not translate into overall increases in soil carbon content. Moreover, the technique can lead to other unintended consequences. For instance, reduced tillage often requires increased use of herbicides for weed control, which may have environmental downsides of their own. Additionally, in certain farming systems, such as irrigated rice production, reduced tillage can have negative impacts on crop yields due to the specific requirements for soil management in such environments.

Economic claims about regenerative agriculture are equally problematic. Advocates often argue that these practices can significantly increase farm profitability by reducing input costs, and by providing opportunities to sell carbon credits for sequestered GHGs. However, these assertions are based on optimistic and sometimes unrealistic assumptions. For example, the Boston Consulting Group’s report on regenerative agriculture in Germany suggested that farmers could increase profits by earning GHG credits for cover cropping. Yet, in Germany cover crops are already subsidized by the government, meaning growers cannot expect additional revenue from carbon credits. Moreover, the assumed savings in fertilizer costs are exaggerated, as research has shown only modest reductions in fertilizer needs due to the presence of cover crops. Consequently, most farmers, find that the costs of implementing cover crops outweigh the financial benefits, making these methods less attractive without external subsidies or regulatory pressure.

A significant concern with regenerative agriculture is the issue of “leakage”: If reduced tillage or cover crops leads to lower yields in one area, other regions in the world need to make up for the shortfall, resulting in deforestation or conversion of grassland to arable land, which implies massive GHG emissions. Such leakage effects usually offset any local reductions in GHG emissions by far, undermining the broader goal of mitigating GHG emissions.

Given these limitations, a more promising and practical approach to reducing GHG emissions in crop production lies in improving nitrogenuse efficiency. Nitrogen fertilizers are the major source of GHG emissions in crop production. By enhancing the efficiency with which crops use nitrogen, farmers can reduce the amount of fertilizer needed,

A critical review of farming practices is needed. PHOTO BY TANJA MÖLLMANN.

leading to both environmental and economic benefits. Unlike cover cropping, which very often requires external subsidies to be economically viable, nitrogen-use efficiency can generate direct financial benefits for farmers without relying on ongoing government support.

Furthermore, both cover crops and reduced or no till are reversal concepts. Each grower can decide to stop apply those practices whenever he or she does so, the carbon accumulated in the soil will then be released gradually to the atmosphere again. Hence, both concepts are risky for the society with regard to climate protection.

Furthermore, improving nitrogen-use efficiency offers a stable and measurable means of reducing GHG emissions. Nitrogen efficiency improvements provide clear and consistent benefits. Reducing nitrogen losses not only helps to lower GHG emissions but also improves water quality by reducing nutrient runoff, creating additional environmental advantages. Importantly, this approach does not carry the same risks of leakage as regenerative techniques, as it does not typically result in reduced crop yields.

Subsurface fertilizer application – one option to improve nitrogen use efficiency.

hold up under closer scrutiny. A more reliable and impactful strategy for reducing GHG emissions in agriculture is to focus on improving nitrogenuse efficiency, which provides measurable environmental benefits, aligns with farmers’ economic interests, and avoids the trade-offs associated with regenerative practices. This approach holds greater promise for achieving long-term sustainability in global crop production systems.

In conclusion, while regenerative agriculture has been heavily promoted for its environmental and economic benefits, its potential to mitigate GHG emissions has been overstated. The techniques associated with regenerative practices, such as cover cropping and reduced tillage, offer limited and often region-specific benefits. Moreover, the economic advantages are frequently based on optimistic assumptions that do not

A more comprehensive version of this paper including data and literature will be published soon. Contact Yelto Zimmer, at yelto. zimmer@agribenchmark.net to receive a link to the full article.

Learn more about agri benchmark here.

PHOTO BY REICHERT.

FROM FARM TO GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

Louis Batley’s Journey in Agriculture and Innovation

Louis Bately, is a consultant for AgFirst, New Zealand and a member of the IFAMA Young Board Oceania Chapter. In 2025, Louis will be serving as a Chair for the IFAMA 2025 Student Case Competition in Brazil

Two weeks after winning the Emerging Rural Professional of the Year Award for 2024, Louis Batley said it still felt a bit surreal.“It’s been pretty awesome actually. A lot of people have reached out and said congratulations, just a lot of people I wouldn’t have expected, so there’s been pretty awesome support.”

It seems predestined that Louis would end up working in agriculture. He grew up on a fifth-generation hill country sheep and beef farm near Taihape and then studied agricultural science at Massey before getting what he called “heavy metal disease” and going off to drive tractors in Australia and Canada.

When he returned to New Zealand, the family farm was part of a RMPP group looking at alternate proteins, and this inspired Louis to head back to Massey and complete a Master of Agribusiness which looked at converting hill country farms to manuka.

After his Masters he was lucky enough to get a role as a consultant with AgFirst straight out of uni, and he’s been with the Manawatu team for the last four years.

“We do general consultancy with farm systems optimisation, but predominantly environmental stuff – small farms all the way up to large corporates and then sort of everything in between,” explains Louis.

Louis Batley on a windrower on the Northern Territory border. Australia, May 2016.

“For a lot of farm environment plans that’s been FarmIQ, and then FARMAX is great with system optimisation but also greenhouse gas modelling because it’s the only tool which has finances as well.”

Louis appreciates the challenges that farmers are facing currently and knows it’s pretty tough out there – particularly for sheep and beef farmers.

“Regulations have been substantial, but then on top of that we’ve had massive on farm inflation, which is eating into the profit margins. Then on top of that, you’ve got problems actually exporting stuff which is just completely outside of your control,” says Louis.

“We’re good at what we do, so we sort of just have to keep doing it and know that it’s hopefully part of a commodity cycle and eventually things will bounce back.

“Unfortunately, I suspect a lot of the regulation isn’t going to go away. If you were trying to reduce emissions or something like that, you can’t just do it overnight…you need to take a long-term view, try and start early.”

Louis’ award win comes with prize money that can be used for research, personal development or overseas study tours, and Louis wants to use his award prize money to travel to the IFAMA Conference next year in Brazil – and to visit his uncle’s dairy farm while there.

“It was one of the first farms to be part of the Nestlé regional regenerative trials in South America,” Louis explains.

“The farm was very basic when they bought it and now it’s all pretty much state of the art. He’s installed a bunch of solar panels and is sowing all sorts of wacky crops, so it’ll be quite interesting just to see what they’re doing, see the farm system and then what the premiums are.”

Louis is a big believer in taking up opportunities and has experienced a lot in his short career already, including completing the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, tripping around New

Making hay and harvest. Canada, May and August, 2018.

Zealand looking at the rural value chain, attending (and winning) the IFAMA Global Student Case Study in Costa Rica, and participating in the China Sustainability Food Tour.

“Those sorts of things are pretty amazing because they expose you to people who you don’t really meet otherwise. One thing to take away is certainly the opportunities within the primary sector.

“Thanks to NZIPIM and FARMAX/FarmIQ for

Top: Shifting a mob of sheep at the home farm. (New Zealand, June –September, 2023.) Bottom: 1st Place in the Global Student Case Competition. IFAMA 2022 World Conference (Costa Rica, June, 2022). Nicola Shadbolt, Louis Batley, Jack Keeys, Sneha Chatterjee, Shaun Snoxell, Elena Garnevska).

this opportunity as well because it’s pretty awesome – I really wasn’t expecting it, but the work which you guys do to encourage people and support people is pretty valuable in the industry.

“To the younger people: be willing to give it a go, definitely give it a crack.”.

Article reprinted with permission: Original article by Kendall McEwen of FarmIQ Systems New Zealand.

FREE

One-Year IFAMA MEMBERSHIP

…for Students and Young Professionals

1 Jan. – 28 Feb. 2025

The future of feeding people on our planet rests in the hands of the next generation. Join IFAMA’s rapidly growing global network.

More info here.

GLOBAL INNOVATION UNLEASHED

IFAMA 2024 Venture Building Challenge

GRAND CHAMPIONS

University of Alberta: Charlene Green, Dipa Sultana, Sadik Mahmud, Anusher Khumorikov

New Zealand Team 2: Sneha Chatterjee, William Robertson

SECOND PLACE

University of Florida: Chenxi Hu, Kelvin Amon, Meri Hambaryan, Faith Aiya

SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS

Highest team score from Round 1 – Virginia Tech: Michele Mickelwait, Jackson Banks, Delany Moran, Amanda Thrasher

2nd highest score from Round 1 – Texas A&M: Sohee Kang, Nicolas

Friend, Andreas Costuros, Andrew Christy

Top undergraduate team throughout entire competition – University of Illinois: Laney Toffler, Luke Gordon, Dylan Kissner, Hermes Lin

“The creativity and strategic thinking demonstrated by these young innovators perfectly aligns with our vision for the future of agriculture,” Guendel said.

IFAMA thanks Jack Keeys, YB Chair and Challenge architect; Blanca Rosa Mrdeza, Senior Project Lead; Comfort Onyaga, Project Manager; and the international judges from Bayer, the Young Board, and the IFAMA team.

Looking ahead to 2025, this online hackathon offers sponsors access to global emerging talent while providing teams invaluable experience in real-world problem-solving. The Challenge identifies future industry leaders while promoting IFAMA’s commitment to nurturing next-generation talent.

Twenty-one international teams from every continent mobilized to compete in this exciting, online event that combines research and entrepreneurship.

Ronald E. Guendel, Bayer | Crop Science and 2024 VBC sponsor, introduces the case. Katharina Moeller-Herrmann, Rohit Maini, and Blanca Rosa Mrdeza, also from Bayer, were part of the international judging panel.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT — YELTO ZIMMER

Yelto Zimmer is an unassuming man: You won’t hear him shouting from a podium. But he brings a unique and valuable perspective to agricultural economic discussions. As Head of agri benchmark Cash Crop, Yelto sees agriculture as somewhat like a Rubik’s cube: Each block interacts with other blocks in complex and sometimes surprising ways.

“At agri benchmark, we study and raise understanding of the driving forces for future trends and developments in global agriculture. And we analyze the impact of changing economic, technological and political framework conditions on farming operations, farm structures and agricultural production,” he explains. While agri benchmark is nonpolitical and not for profit, it provides important insights to decisionmakers. “We serve many global players in agribusiness as well as institutions such as IFA, FAO, World Bank or Ministries.” Yelto says.

Research relies on a global network of research partners, producers and advisors who provide

data for so-called “typical farms” which represent the prevailing way of farming in a given region. These typical farms are established with focus groups, they are also involved when it comes to analyze practice change.

“All too often, policy-makers (and even technology innovators) don’t appreciate the complex interactions and constraints at the farm level,” Yelto notes. For instance, he says, a recent study shed light on why some precision technologies look compelling on paper but farms have not adopted as expected.

Another complex issue Yelto’s group has been studying – and one he sees as one of the most important challenges facing the ag sector in the next 10 years – is how to reduce the environmental footprint of crop production.

“The interest in a shift from input-intensive to regenerative farming is laudable,” he says. “But some of the proposed approaches are more wishful thinking than real options. For instance, sequestering carbon dioxide in fields through

At a visit with a small holder cooperative in the course of the agri benchmark CashCrop Conference in Kenya, June 2023. PHOTO BY MÖLLMANN.

cover crops – and being able to even generate funds from selling respective GHG credits - sounds very compelling. However, for the society it implies an endless liability and a new

climate risk because without external financial support, most growers would stop such activities.” However, he sees great potential in improving nitrogen use efficiency. “The beauty of this approach: It’s a win-win. Since nitrogen is by far the most important source for GHG emissions from crop production one can reduce the emissions substantially and at the same time, improve growers’ bottom line.”

Furthermore, agri benchmark research also

reveals that under certain conditions, reducing environmental risks from the use of crop care products can be achieved through new technologies such as spot spraying without significantly harming farmers’ profits.

Yelto emphasizes that testing science and policy against the reality of real-world farming and its economics is a key piece of learning for students. “Without the latter, the former does not yield any real progress because what matters in the

agri benchmark group visiting Kenyian yield trials in wheat production to understand yield potentials under optimized conditions. June 2023. PHOTO BY MÖLLMANN.

end is the complexity of production systems and their different driving forces.”

Yelto joined IFAMA in 2015 and notes that the two organizations are similar in many ways, both in member make-up and in mission. “IFAMA is a community that shares our desire to improve agriculture. The more of us working on this puzzle and learning from one another, the better our results will be.”

Yelto with members of the agri benchmark Center team in Spain while learning about irrigated crop producion and respective economics. June 2024. PHOTO BY MÖLLMANN.

Novi Haryati, PhD Candidate at Wageningen University, helped launch an innovative app to support small-scale farmers in Indonesia, improving supply chain optimization, branding, and market access. Case study details from Malang, Indonesia highlight its success. You can read and access the modul (in Bahasa Indonesia) here.

Dr Azhar Rasool recently defended and earned his PhD in Agribusiness from Namal University in Pakistan. Dr. Hammad Badar, a longtime member of IFAMA, served as his supervisor. Link to faculty profile.

IFAMA is pleased to welcome the University of Jember (UNEJ)

Indonesia as our newest institutional member. IFAMA Executive Director Kathryn White, met with Dr. Luh Putu Suciati, SP., M.Si (Lecturer of Agribusiness Study Program), Prof. M. Rondhi. SP., MP., PhD. (Dean of Agriculture), and students enrolled Jember’s Agribusiness Study Program. More than 60 people joined the event: “Connecting Beyond Borders” with 27 faculty members joining IFAMA. Jember University is pioneering agricultural innovation through research, sustainable practices, and community engagement, and we warmly welcome these students and faculty to the IFAMA family.

Daud Asif launches AgriFruit Nexus, a startup dedicated to transforming agricultural and fruit waste into renewable energy and high-value products. The non-profit focuses on waste management and sustainable practices, benefiting farmers, communities, and the environment while promoting a circular economy and innovative solutions.

Pablo Mac Clay successfully defended his doctoral thesis entitled “Essays on the nexus between technological change, policies, and value chain governance for a transition towards a low-carbon economy” on June 05, 2024 at the Center for Development Research (ZEF). He received his doctoral degree in Agricultural Sciences from the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Bonn (Germany). Pablo’s first supervisor was Prof. Dr. Jan Börner and his second supervisor was Prof. Dr. Roberto Feeney.

Michelle Marais has been hard at work all across Africa over the past 14 months. 2000 smallholder poultry farmers have been trained across 7 countries in the Proudly Poultry campaign. Phase 2 launched in Uganda in October 2024 with the ambitious target of having a total of 540 training days in 3 countries over the next 18 months.

We want to spotlight the career milestones of our vibrant IFAMA community. Whether it’s a promotion, launching or completing a project, securing funding or a grant, publishing a book or article, speaking at an event, receiving an award, or volunteering in a career-related role—your story matters to us! Email your name and a brief description of your accomplishment to ifama@ifama.org, and we’ll celebrate with you in an upcoming newsletter. Let’s inspire and connect through the successes of our global IFAMA family!

UPDATE

KEVIN CHEN

IFAMR Editor-in-Chief

ifamroeic@zju.edu.cn

The International Food and Agribusiness Management Review (IFAMR) is a premier Open Access journal serving as an intellectual hub for global food system stakeholders. We publish cuttingedge research on business, economics, public policy, and law within the agribusiness sector, emphasizing practical management applications. Our journal maintains rigorous academic standards while delivering swift, thorough peer reviews and fostering international collaboration. We invite academics to submit their research, whether theoretical or applied, that advances understanding of the global food and agribusiness system. We welcome original articles, case

studies, industry interviews, and book reviews that contribute to management practice.

A NEW YEAR’S APPRECIATION

In 2024, IFAMR has continued its trajectory of growth and influence. The journal is now classified as Q2 in the Journal Citation Indicator (JCI) and Q3 in the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) for the Agricultural Economics & Policy category (Clarivate, 2024). The Journal’s CiteScore has enjoyed a 24% year-over-year increase, rising to 3.6 and positioning IFAMR in Q2 within both the Business & International Management and Food Sciences categories (Scopus, 2024).

As we step into 2025, we look forward to another productive year. The IFAMR extends its deepest gratitude to the authors and referees representing over 40 countries, as well as the members of our dedicated global editorial team. Your steadfast commitment to advancing high-quality scholarship has been pivotal in sustaining IFAMR’s role as an

influential academic journal and a catalyst for meaningful dialogue in the field of food and agribusiness management.

We also take this opportunity to extend our warmest wishes to all our contributors and readers for a successful and fulfilling new year. Your continued support and collaboration form the foundation of IFAMR’s achievements and its ongoing mission to foster impactful scholarship.

IFAMR MANAGING EDITORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kevin Z. Chen

AFRICA

Ajuruchukwu Obi Dereje Teklemariam

Camillus A. Wongnaa

EUROPE

Laura Carraresi Alessio Cavicchi

Christina Santini Loïc Sauvée

Hans De Steur

ASIA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND

Dao the Anh Derek Baker

Fu Jeff Jia Wanglin Ma

Rui Mao Sudarshan Naidu

Fu-Sheng Tsai

NORTH AMERICA

Ram N Acharya Getu Hailu

Shahriar R. Kibriya Trey Malone

Eric Micheels William Nganje

Brent Ross – Case Editor Nicole Widmar

Alexsan Shanoyan Cheryl Wachenheim

SOUTH AMERICA

Aziz Da Silva Júnior Luis Emilio Morales

PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICES

For questions related to submissions:

Publisher: BRILL Publishers

Leiden, The Netherlands

Email: Marc Jarmuszewski

marc.jarmuszewski@brill.com

For questions to the editor-in-chief:

Office of Editor-in-Chief

Zhejiang University

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China PRC

Email: ifamroeic@zju.edu.cn

Editorial Coordinator: Prof. Rui Mao

Editorial Assistant: Yunyi Zhou

THE NEW “FOOD SHOCKS PROJECT” WEBSITE IS LIVE!

The Food Shocks Project is a collaborative initiative involving many partners from government, industry and higher education. Building resilience to shocks and disruptions: Creating sustainable and equitable local and regional food systems. This project aims to advance scientific understanding and develop sustainable practices that ensure food security in the

face of increasing global uncertainties. Check it out! https://foodshocks.msu.edu/

Call for Applications for the Food Resiliency Fellowship Program: a competitive program sponsored by the USDA and designed to foster innovation and leadership in addressing food security challenges. Details here.

IFAMA REGIONAL CHAT GROUPS ON WHATSAPP!

Current IFAMA members can join your regional WhatsApp chat group to share information on events, projects, research, or hot topics relevant to your region. Connect with students, young professionals, and experts. If you would like to join the chat group in your region, email mara@ifama.org. Be sure to mention your region.