The Brussels Policy Briefing n. 54 on ”Sustainable agriculture: where are we on SDGs implementation?” took place on 27th February 2019 (European Commission, Charlemagne Building, Alcide de Gasperi Room, Rue de la Loi 170, 1040 Brussels).

1. A Partnership

2. To build
consensus on
the
interventions
needed to end
hunger and
transform the
lives of the
world's poorest
farmers—while
protecting the
environment.
Our mission

3. We combine
state-of-the-art
modelling
techniques with
expert evidence
to support a
donor roadmap
to achieve SDG
2 (focusing on
targets 2.1, 2.3
and 2.4)
Our strategy

4. Evidence overview

5. We are collaborating with Nature Research to
publish a focused collection of eight evidence
reviews and editorial pieces on SDG 2.3 and 2.4,
subject to the highest standards of peer-review
Publication forthcoming in early 2020

6. How did we select our eight topics?
Consulted with global experts at forums including the
T20 and CFS45 throughout 2018
We used machine-learning to analyze a dataset of
50,000 articles about interventions and small-scale
food producers
We used the analysis to query expert partners on the
relevancy of 30 select interventions

7. Our eight evidence synthesis topics
Evidence review question Example interventions (not exhaustive)
What are the interventions that small-scale producers can adopt to reduce
pre- and post-harvest losses along the value chain?
On and off-farm storage, regional processing capabilities,
decentralized energy grids; improved varieties
What are the knowledge-sharing interventions which demonstrate that
small-scale producers have successfully adopted sustainable farming
practices?
Information and community technologies (ICTs), extension
and advisory services, formal and informal education.
What are the most effective risk-management policy interventions for
small-scale producers?
Social protection programs, credit subsidies, weather
insurance, employment and education incentives
What technology assessment tools provide comprehensive evaluations of
a food system?
Regulatory frameworks, scientific data-sharing agreements,
impact assessments
What are the livestock interventions that contribute to more sustainable
and integrated farm systems?
Alternative animal feed sources, dietary diversity, income
diversification; animal health, livestock insurance.
Which interventions create effective incentives for environmentally friendly
farming practices while helping farmers obtain remunerative prices?
Certification, farmer cooperative, ICTs, procurement,
cooperatives, private business growth and development
What combination of farm-level interventions contribute to increased
incomes in water scarce (or drought-impacted) regions?
Labor and land reforms, seeds and varieties, integrated pest
management, mechanization, irrigation, and knowledge.
What are the effective interventions to encourage non-manufacturing
growth and employment opportunities for youth?
Integration of farm and off-farm activities (eg. food
processing); “out of agriculture” employment, urban-rural
linkages.

8. Identify all relevant
evidence-bases
Establish a
research question
Search for similar
systematic reviews
02 03
Develop and test
search strategies
04
06
Write an inclusion and
exclusion strategy
Execute searches and
screen materials
07
Review and
synthesize results
08 09
Conduct a quality of
evidence assessment
01
Each question will use the same process for
synthesis
Publish a protocol
04
We have 16 global research synthesis experts supporting
the process

9. Modeling
Framework

10. Ending Hunger: What would it cost?
[2016]
• We are not on
track for SDG2
• But we can reach
it if we
• Have more
resources
• Use better
interventions
• Realign priorities

11. Well-defined indicator,
directly used in model
Not used, insufficient data
Used, some limitations
Not defined by UN
Alternative indicators used
Used, some limitations
UN-Proposed Indicators
First, we try to address the scope of
SDG 2.1 2.3. and 2.4
Subgoals
SDG 2.1
End Hunger
SDG 2.3
Smallholder
Productivity
SDG 2.4
Sustainability
Prevalence of
Undernourishment
Production
per Labor Unit
% of Agricultural
Area that Is
Sustainable
Food Insecurity
Experience
Scale
Average Income by
Sex and Indigenous
Status
UN Tier
1
2
3
3
3
In the Cost Model?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes

12. Existing SDG2 Costing
Exercise
IFPRI Brief: Quantifying the cost and benefits of
ending hunger and undernutrition: Examining the
differences among alternative approaches
265 billion
Achieving Zero Hunger
(FAO, IFAD, WFP)
52 billion
IMPACT (IFPRI)
11 billion
MIRAGRODEP
(IFPRI-IISD)7 billion
Investment Framework
for Nutrition
(World Bank)
What are the additional
transfers and
investments needed to
end poverty and
hunger in all countries
by 2030?
How much would
hunger
decrease given
investments
to achieve target yield
increases by 2030?
What is the minimum
cost to
end hunger for
vulnerable
households in all
countries
by 2030?
What is the minimum
cost to
meet the World Health
Assembly (WHA) goals
on
reducing undernutrition
by 2025?

13. Proposed Indicators in Model
From Indicators to Quantitative Targets
Subgoals
SDG 2.1
End Hunger
SDG 2.3
Smallholder
Productivity
SDG 2.4
Sustainability
Prevalence of
Undernourishment
Total GHG emissions in agriculture
Fertilizer Use | Energy Use | Land Use
+ Water Requirements
Smallholder productivity
Target
5%
X2
NDC

14. Ceres2030 process and timeline
The HLPF reported a dearth of evidence for SDG 2.3 and
2.4 in a review of SDG2 in 2017.

15. Thank you