Key Qualifications
- Co-design and management of online platforms such as the Community of Practice on food loss reduction (CoP) which is part of the FAO hosted larger Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste
- Representation and key note speaker including at AfDB event, the AU Congress on postharvest management, the Global Pulses Confederation’s annual Convention
- Design and preparation of reports, publications, capacity building materials including online courses; co-organization of workshops and conferences with technical divisions;
- Leadership in strategy and roadmap development for fostering sustainable agri-food value chains (SFVC) and food systems through projects and programmes design and implementation with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams of national and international agricultural research and development organizations, engaging with donors including for a UN Rome-Based Agencies’ (RBA) FAO, IFAD and WFP’s joint project funded by the Swiss Development and Cooperation agency; for IFAD and the European Union-funded projects; for the international NGO Catholic Relief Services (CRS) interventions funded by USAID and various financial partners in West Africa; and for the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT) and other centers of the CGIAR
- Leadership and engagement with VC core and supporting actors in promoting climate smart agriculture (CSA), circular economy, gender equality and women empowerment, inclusion, and agricultural research for development, innovations
Education
PhD, Agro food science and technologies, University of Montpellier II, France, 2008.
Postgraduate degree (DESS: MSc Equivalent), Rural Economy and Agribusiness Management, Montpellier University of Law and Economics, France, 1994.
Engineering Degree, Food Industries, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Industries Agro-Alimentaires (ENSIA), Montpellier, France, 1993.
Engineering Degree, Agricultural Sciences, Algiers National Institute of Agronomy (INA), Algeria, 1991.
Languages: French (Native); English (Fluent); Spanish (intermediate); Italian (Intermediate)
Experience
Senior Consultant - IFAD’s Sustainable Production, Markets, Institutions Division (PMI), January to June and November to December 2023
- Provided senior technical advice on sustainable agriculture, VC and food systems, knowledge management through intelligence gathering and analysis in the global arena; Contributed to and developed technical guidelines, reports, policy briefs
- Conducted supervision missions; co-developed actions for follow-up, documentation of results and impacts with Regional Offices, Country Programs, and technical experts in PMI and the Environment, Climate, Gender, and Social Inclusion Division
Senior Consultant - IFAD’s Agricultural Research for Development Unit (AR4D), Research and Impact Assessment Division of the Strategy and Knowledge Department, from May to November 2023
- Prepared the consolidated final technical report of 13 projects of the IFAD-EU co-funded programme ‘Putting Research into Use for Nutrition, Sustainable Agriculture and Resilience’ (PRUNSAR) implemented from 2015 to 2023 by 13 projects led by eight centers from the CGIAR and the Internation al Bamboo and Rattan organization (INBAR);
- Led IFAD team for the development of a Catalogue of Innovations (2023) and the PRUNSAR Knowledge Directory| Knowledge for policy (europa.eu) (2024), PRUNSAR Knowledge Directory: Putting research into use for nutrition, sustainability, and resilience | Knowledge for policy (europa.eu)to facilitate access to knowledge and adoption at scale of proven innovations.
Senior consultant - Expert in sustainable milk value chain development – The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) December 2022 to January 2023
Led cross-learning, business model and multi-stakeholder strategic roadmap development based on the outcomes, lessons, and recommendations from the implementation of the IDRC funded project Enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers in North and West Africa through upgrading of women-managed milk value chains | IDRC - International Development Research Centre (idrc-crdi.ca) in Morrocco and Senegal
Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) Agriculture, Landscapes and Livelihoods, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) – West Africa (covering 11 countries), February – June 2022
Provided strategic and technical leadership, engaged with donors including USAID, USDA, EU, Foundations including Master Card’s Foundation; Development of national and regional policies, strategies, and regulatory frameworks; Capacity building of staff and national implementing partners
Consultant - Expert in sustainable value chains and food systems, FAO, April-December 2021
Developed a technical paper on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) presented at the conference Cultivating equality: Advancing Gender Research in Agriculture and Food Systems, 12-15 October 2021 - Abstracts; Developed the content of a ‘Gender and food loss in sustainable fish value chains in Africa’ guidelines with the FAO Fisheries Division
Manager of the FAO, IFAD and WFP joint project on food loss reduction, and postharvest management, FAO headquarters, Rome, June 2014 to September 2020
Managed the UN RBA joint project ‘Mainstreaming food loss reduction initiatives for smallholders in food deficit areas’ ; Supported and engaged with national governments, global, continental institutions including for the development and implementation of national, regional, and continental policies and strategies (e.g. the African Union Commission strategy on AU; Led and contributed to publications including the joint article: Totobesola, M., Delve, R., Nkundimana, J.d. et al. A holistic approach to food loss reduction in Africa: food loss analysis, integrated capacity development and policy implications. Food Sec. 14, 1401–1415 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-021-01243-y; and the video on highlights of achievements and recommendations https://youtu.be/ZJ4NLUMYxDc
Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) Agriculture and livelihoods in West Africa, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) – West Africa Regional Office, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, August 2010 – May 2014
- Provided strategic and technical leadership, for the design, implementation of multi-sectoral programmes and projects in Climate Smart Agriculture Climate Change Adaptation (building-livelihoods-on-the-frontlines-of-climate-change.pdf (crs.org)), livelihoods, VC development, farmers’ linkage to markets; food and nutrition security; resilience.
- Engaged with donors including USAID, USDA, DFID, various Foundations, with strategic partner organizations at nationaland international levels such as the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (Comité Inter Etats de Lutte contre la Sècheresse dans le Sahel, CILSS) to promote crops and livelihoods, sustainable natural resources management techniques and practices feasible in the contexts considered, and to co-develop innovative approaches, tools, and partnerships for impact at scale
- Contributed to the design and rollout of the Smart Skills Sets training workshops for strengthening the capacity of smallholder farmers for market engagement at scale
Coordinator of Development Funds, Canadian Embassy Cooperation / Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, April 2006 – March 2010.
Managed Programming Support Fund and the Fund for Local Initiatives, strategic planning, program design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation, reporting and communication
Central America Regional Coordinator and Research Associate, Rural Agro-enterprise Development Project (RADP), Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Tegucigalpa, Honduras, July 1998 – January 2001.
Contributed to strategic planning, program design, budget management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting and communication; Coordinated the RADP taking in account CIAT Natural Resources Management (NRM); Contributed to several agro-enterprise development training workshops in Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua and Africa (at ICRAF in Kenya); Studied and identified more profitable, diversified, demand driven and sustainable market opportunities to improve smallholders’ incomes, linked small producers to markets and value chains.
Research Associate and Program Assistant, Africa Program and the Enterprise Development Department, Conservation International, Washington, D.C., USA, April 1995 – February 1997.
Contributed to the development of environmentally sound enterprises (e.g. nuts, spices, essential oils, honey, handicraft, ecotourism) to improve the incomes of poor people living in and around protected areas
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Publicado el 19/02/2025
Estimados Lal y miembros de EvalForward,
Muchas gracias a Lal por su análisis exhaustivo y por arrojar luz sobre los requisitos esenciales que los responsables de políticas y los profesionales deben considerar al transformar el sector agroalimentario. Aprecio la claridad con la que ha enfatizado que las políticas agrícolas y alimentarias deben diseñarse teniendo en cuenta a los usuarios finales, es decir, los consumidores, y que el enfoque no debe limitarse solo a los resultados económicos, sino que también debe abarcar las dimensiones sociales y ambientales.
Como experta en sistemas alimentarios agrícolas sostenibles y en la formulación de políticas y estrategias, añadiría que sus observaciones son completamente válidas, especialmente en lo que respecta a los desafíos que enfrentan los responsables de políticas cuando trabajan con sistemas existentes que dependen en gran medida de cultivos comerciales y prácticas no sostenibles. Estos sistemas a menudo no logran abordar la seguridad alimentaria, que implica el acceso permanente a alimentos nutritivos para todos. Esto debe abordarse considerando no solo los factores económicos, sino también la sostenibilidad ambiental y la equidad social.
Diversos enfoques y herramientas sistémicas han sido desarrollados y pueden adaptarse a contextos específicos y objetivos de transformación. Estos enfoques, basados en análisis integrales, respaldan la formulación de marcos normativos y regulatorios eficientes, así como el diseño de estrategias de evaluación e implementación. Algunos recursos relevantes incluyen:
(Recursos y detalles se mantienen igual que en la versión en francés)
También quisiera destacar la importancia de una comprensión común de los puntos clave de influencia en la transformación de los sistemas alimentarios. Para lograr avances significativos, debemos ser capaces de actuar sobre estos puntos clave y medir el impacto de nuestras políticas mediante indicadores acordados. Esto es fundamental tanto a nivel regional como global, donde la complejidad de los sistemas interconectados, como el comercio, la infraestructura, la energía y la gobernanza, debe ser tomada en cuenta.
CFS, 2021. Voluntary guidelines on food systems and nutrition. FAO. Rome. CFS_VGs_Food_Systems_and_Nutrition_Strategy_EN.pdf (fao.org)
Cruz Zuniga, M., Lynn, M.L., Kaganzi Mwesigwa, E., Norell, D., Sriram, V., Tumusiime, E., 2019. Better together: improving food security and nutrition by linking market and food system. Research article: Food security through market and food systems. September 2019. Enterprise Development and Microfinance, 30:3, 189–205. http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1755-1986.19-00008
De Brauw, A., M. van den Berg, I. Brouwer, H. Snoek, R. Vignola, M. Melesse, G. Lochetti, C. van Wagenberg, M. Lundy, E. d’Hotel, and R. Ruben. 2019. “Food System Innovations for Healthier Diets in Low and Middle-Income Countries.” IFPRI Discussion Paper 01816, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC.
Dekeyser, K., Rampa, F., D’Alessandro, C., & Bizzotto Molina, P. (2020). The food systems approach in practice: Our guide for sustainable transformation. Maastricht: European Centre for Development Policy Management. The food systems approach in practice: Our guide for sustainable transformation - ECDPM Discussion Paper 278
FAO. 2019. The State of Food and Agriculture 2019. Moving forward on food loss and waste reduction. Rome. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. The State of Food and Agriculture 2019 (fao.org)
FAO, EC, CIRAD. 2020. A methodological framework for the rapid assessment of national and sub-national food systems in low income and lower medium income countries
FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. 2020. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. Transforming food systems for affordable healthy diets. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9692en
HLPE. 2019. Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security, Rome HLPE Report #14 - Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition (fao.org)
International Food Policy Research Institute. 2021. Food System Innovations and Digital Technologies to Foster Productivity Growth and Rural Transformation. Food Systems Summit Brief Prepared by Research Partners of the Scientific Group for the Food Systems Summit, May 2021.
International Food Policy Research Institute. 2021. 2021 Global Food Policy Report: Transforming Food Systems after COVID-19. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896293991
Njuki, Jemimah; Eissler, Sarah; Malapit, Hazel J.; Meinzen-Dick, Ruth Suseela; Bryan, Elizabeth; and Quisumbing, Agnes R. 2021. A review of evidence on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and food systems. IFPRI Discussion Paper 2034. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.134469
van Berkum, S., Dengerink, J., and Ruben, R. (2018). The Food Systems Approach: Sustainable Solutions for a Sufficient Supply of Healthy Food. No. 2018–084. Economic Research Memorandum. The Hague: Wageningen Economic Research. doi:10.18174/451505
· FAO, 2020. SDG 12.3.1.a Food Loss Index - Guiding questions on the steps of
the data collection strategy https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a9799ec1-22b5-4942-80b3-a3f5626cce26/content
· Agenda 2030 and FAO methodology for SDG indicator 12.3.1a Food Loss Index
Food loss measurement | Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Atentamente,
Mireille Totobesola
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Publicado el 17/02/2025
Dear EvalForward members,
As we approach the final week of our online discussion on the evaluation of policies targeting agri-food systems transformation, we want to remind you that your valuable insights are essential for shaping the recommendations. To make the most of this opportunity, we invite you to contribute to the following key areas before the discussion closes (please do provide the files and the links to the resources that you would like share if available ):
This is the last week to contribute, and we want to ensure that all your thoughts are captured before the discussion closes. Your input is key to enhancing the recommendations that will guide future policy evaluation in this crucial field.
We look forward to hearing from you and greatly appreciate your continued engagement!
Best regards,
Mireille Totobesola
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Publicado el 17/02/2025
Dear Mike,
I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for your insightful contribution to the ongoing discussion on agri-food systems transformation policies. Your emphasis on evaluating sustainability, resilience, and equity within these systems is crucial and aligns well with the broader goals of fostering long-term improvements in agriculture.
Your point about the social and economic welfare of farmers, particularly smallholders, resonates deeply. You’ve rightly highlighted that while frameworks like the EUDR and Ethiopia’s food systems transformation policies aim to promote sustainability, they must also explicitly address the livelihoods, income stability, and market access of small-scale farmers. This nuanced consideration is essential to avoid unintended consequences that may further marginalize these communities.
Could you provide concrete examples of case studies and methodologies that have successfully illustrated the impact of such policies on farmers’ livelihoods, particularly smallholders? It would be interesting to learn more about other existing frameworks that have effectively measured and integrated these social, economic and environmental aspects into policy assessments.
Additionally, how can methodologies like participatory evaluations or farmer-centric metrics be better leveraged to ensure that smallholders are not excluded from such policies?
Your expertise in this area is invaluable, and I look forward to furthering the conversation with these additional insights.
Best regards,
Mireille Totobesola
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Publicado el 10/02/2025
Estimados/as todos/as,
Muchas gracias nuevamente a Serdar por su contribución perspicaz y estimulante la semana pasada.
Esta semana, enfoquémonos en el segundo punto sobre la Eficacia de los Marcos Regulatorios, particularmente respondiendo a las siguientes preguntas orientadoras:
Esperamos sus reflexiones y contribuciones, así como cualquier recurso útil que ilustre sus ideas, incluyendo enfoques que puedan servir de referencia o ser adoptados o adaptados según sea necesario.
Atentamente,
Mireille Totobesola
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Publicado el 05/02/2025
Estimado Serdar,
Gracias por sus valiosos aportes. Coincido en que evaluar la eficacia de las políticas requiere una visión integral, considerando los impactos económicos (que impulsan los incentivos, especialmente para los pequeños productores y sus organizaciones), los impactos sociales (fundamentales para el éxito a largo plazo) y, en última instancia, los impactos ambientales.
Me gustaría invitar a más contribuciones de los participantes, en particular de aquellos directamente involucrados en la implementación y evaluación del Reglamento de la UE sobre la Deforestación (EUDR), como los representantes de la World Cocoa Foundation. Les animo a compartir los enfoques que están utilizando, los indicadores que consideran (y su justificación), los desafíos que enfrentan y cómo planean abordarlos con las partes interesadas a lo largo de las cadenas de valor y los sistemas de productos básicos.
Para quienes necesiten información adicional, recomiendo revisar la EVALUACIÓN DE IMPACTO en el Documento de Trabajo del Personal de la Comisión, disponible en nuestra lista de recursos. Este documento explica los esfuerzos para minimizar los riesgos de deforestación y degradación forestal asociados a los productos en el mercado de la UE. Acompaña la propuesta de Reglamento sobre la comercialización en el mercado de la UE (y la exportación) de determinados productos vinculados a la deforestación, y la derogación del Reglamento (UE) No 995/2010. Puede acceder al documento aquí:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0326&qid=1727163336725
El documento presenta diversas opciones de política. La sección 6 desarrolla los impactos relevantes de dichas opciones en los ámbitos ambiental, económico y social.
Espero recibir más contribuciones que nos ayuden a desarrollar marcos eficaces, viables y eficientes para la evaluación de políticas y regulaciones.
Atentamente,
Mireille Totobesola
Experta en Sistemas Alimentarios y Agricultura Sostenible
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Publicado el 03/02/2025
¡Hola comunidad de EvalForward!
Bienvenidos a esta apasionante discusión sobre la evaluación de políticas y regulaciones para la transformación de los sistemas agroalimentarios. ¡Nos complace contar con su participación!
Durante esta primera semana, los invitamos a compartir sus ideas y recursos sobre los siguientes temas:
No duden en compartir sus pensamientos, experiencias o cualquier recurso útil que pueda enriquecer el debate.
¡Esperamos con interés sus contribuciones!
Atentamente,
Mireille Totobesola
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Publicado el 27/03/2025