Partnering for Innovation: How Technology Maximizes Smallholder Farmers’ Contribution to Food Security
Wednesday 15 October
09.45 - 10.30
Acceleration Zone (D085))
Pests continue to devastate crops across Africa, Asia, and the Americas - threatening food security, farmer livelihoods, biodiversity, and development. In Africa alone, it is estimated that between 30-60% of crops are lost to pests, amounting to USD 65.5 billion in losses.
As climate change compounds the rapid spread and destructive tendencies of pests, sustainable innovative solutions are urgently needed to protect crops while safeguarding environmental and development goals.
This panel discussion will explore how innovative technologies, such as Danish-developed pheromone products, introduce nature-based solutions that can improve farmers’ livelihoods and foster food security. Building on the experience of the first large-scale use of this technology in Brazil against fall armyworm, the discussion will focus on collaborative, regional deployment models to adapt this technology to smallholder farmer systems in Africa - unlocking new opportunities for South-South and North-South cooperation.
Speakers
Marketing Director, Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
Born and raised on a small farm in Northern Italy, Robert studied Agricultural Sciences at the University of Bologna. With nearly 30 years of experience in the Crop Protection industry, he has held various roles across Italy, Switzerland, Poland, and the USA. For the past decade, he has served in global leadership positions, traveling extensively across APAC, LATAM, NAC, and EMEA. He is currently the Marketing Director for EMEA at FMC.
Agricultural Officer (Plant Pathology and Transboundary Insect Pests), Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Team (NSPMD), FAO
Dr. Maged Elkahky is an Agricultural Officer at the FAO, specializing in plant pathology and transboundary insect pests. Based in Rome, he develops and manages monitoring systems like FAMEWS and SusaHamra, providing technical assistance for managing non-locust plant pests and diseases, including fall armyworm, red palm weevil, and Fusarium wilt of banana. He supports member states in improving plant health emergency management capacities and assists in assessment missions for emerging plant pest outbreaks. (source FAOHome. Note: The image is sourced from the FAO's Locust Watch page).
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Kenya to Italy, Albania, Cyprus, Greece, and Malta. Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies based in Rome, including FAO, IFAD, and WFP.
H.E. Fredrick L. Matwang'a is a seasoned Kenyan diplomat and economist. He began his career in 1995 as an economist with the Ministry of Planning and National Development. In 2002, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serving in various capacities until his appointment as Ambassador in 2022. He presented his credentials to the President of Italy in February 2024 and has served at Kenya's Permanent Missions to the UN in New York (2005–2010) and Geneva (2014–2018). Ambassador Matwang'a holds a BA in Economics (1993) and an MA in Economic Policy and Management (2000).
Director of Sianga Farms, and founder of Agro Queens
Elizabeth Maanda Sianga is an award-winning agronomist, Director of Sianga Farms, and founder of Agro Queens, an agribusiness consultancy focused on sustainable agriculture, farmer training, and rural development. Sianga Farms is a diversified mixed farming enterprise specializing in grains , aquaculture, livestock, and vegetable production. Elizabeth holds a BSc in Agriculture and an MSc in Agribusiness. Widely known as The Young Farmer Maanda, Elizabeth is also a respected agricultural influencer and vocal advocate for youth and women in agriculture. Her audience has a reach of over 10 million people worldwide. Her work is rooted in sustainability, self-sufficiency, and community empowerment, with a bold vision to transform African agriculture from the ground up.
Ambassador of Denmark in Italy
Ambassador Peter Taksøe-Jensen is a distinguished Danish diplomat with an extensive international career spanning nearly four decades. Since 2024, he has served as Denmark’s Ambassador to Italy, Malta, and San Marino. Previously, he was Ambassador to Japan (2019–2024), India, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal (2015–2019), and the United States (2010–2015). Earlier, he was Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs at the United Nations in New York and has held senior roles in Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EU. Ambassador Taksøe-Jensen has chaired several international committees and authored a key review of Danish foreign policy. He is a Commander of the Order of Dannebrog.
Gabriela Wurcel is a business negotiator, diplomat and entrepreneur with broad experience in the private sector, government, and international organizations. In her current role as the Global Director External and Multilateral Affairs for FMC, she is responsible for engaging and supporting the United Nations System and other international organizations’ work on agriculture, food security, sustainable food systems, climate, innovation & technology, and social and economic development, and working with governments and civil society around the world. She is also Vice Chair of Business at OECD (BIAC) Food and Agriculture committee and a USCIB Foundation board member.