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
Posté le 19/02/2025
Chers Lal et membres d'EvalForward,
Un grand merci à Lal pour votre analyse approfondie et pour avoir mis en lumière les prérequis essentiels que les décideurs politiques et les professionnels doivent prendre en compte lorsqu’ils transforment le secteur agroalimentaire. J’apprécie la clarté avec laquelle vous avez souligné que les politiques agricoles et alimentaires doivent être élaborées en gardant à l’esprit les utilisateurs finaux—à savoir les consommateurs—et que l’accent ne doit pas uniquement être mis sur les résultats économiques, mais également sur les dimensions sociales et environnementales.
En tant qu'experte en systèmes alimentaires agricoles durables et en élaboration de politiques et stratégies, j'ajouterais que vos observations sont tout à fait pertinentes, en particulier concernant les défis auxquels les décideurs sont souvent confrontés lorsqu'ils traitent avec des systèmes existants fortement dépendants des cultures de rente et des pratiques non durables. De tels systèmes sont souvent inadéquats pour répondre aux enjeux de la sécurité alimentaire, qui implique un accès permanent à une alimentation nutritive pour tous. Cette question doit être abordée en tenant compte non seulement des facteurs économiques, mais aussi de la durabilité environnementale et de l’équité sociale.
Diverses approches systémiques et outils efficaces ont été développés et peuvent être adaptés à des contextes spécifiques et à des objectifs de transformation. Ces approches, fondées sur des analyses approfondies, soutiennent l'élaboration de cadres réglementaires et politiques efficaces, ainsi que la conception de stratégies d'évaluation et de mise en œuvre. Parmi les ressources pertinentes, on peut citer :
Ce rapport peut être téléchargé gratuitement sur https://doi.org/10.18174/451505 ou sur www.wur.eu/economic-research (dans la section des publications de Wageningen Economic Research).
Je souhaite également souligner l’importance d’une compréhension commune des principaux leviers de transformation des systèmes alimentaires. Pour progresser de manière significative, nous devons être en mesure d’agir sur ces leviers et de mesurer l’impact de nos politiques à travers des indicateurs convenus. Ceci est crucial aux niveaux régional et mondial, où la complexité des systèmes interconnectés, tels que le commerce, les infrastructures, l’énergie et la gouvernance, doit être prise en compte.
Concernant votre point sur les pertes alimentaires, la distinction entre « pertes alimentaires » et « gaspillage alimentaire », telle que définie par la FAO dans le cadre de l’ODD 12.3, est un autre aspect fondamental. Les pertes et le gaspillage alimentaires sont causés par divers facteurs qui varient d’une région ou d’un pays à l’autre, en fonction de la structure des chaînes de valeur alimentaires et de l’accès au financement, aux infrastructures et aux technologies. Ces facteurs doivent être pris en considération, notamment dans leur relation avec des enjeux transversaux tels que les inégalités de genre, l’éducation, le changement climatique et la bonne gouvernance, qui influencent tous l’efficacité et la durabilité des systèmes alimentaires.
Par ailleurs, les politiques et cadres réglementaires doivent intégrer ces interconnexions et arbitrages afin d’être efficaces, transformateurs et adaptés aux contextes spécifiques. Des cadres de suivi et d’évaluation efficaces doivent être élaborés pour suivre les progrès réalisés dans chaque pays, en tenant compte des facteurs régionaux et mondiaux qui influencent la transformation des systèmes alimentaires.
Merci encore une fois pour le partage de vos précieuses analyses. Elles contribueront sans aucun doute à enrichir le dialogue et à façonner des stratégies plus éclairées et intégrées en vue de la construction de systèmes alimentaires durables, inclusifs et résilients.
Cordialement,
Mireille Totobesola
Autres ressources utiles :
· Ressources sur les approches systémiques et les outils permettant d’identifier les causes profondes des inefficacités et des défis en matière de durabilité dans les systèmes agricoles et alimentaires—en tenant compte des arbitrages et des interconnexions avec des secteurs tels que le commerce, la finance (notamment la finance rurale et la microfinance), les infrastructures, l’énergie, la gouvernance, la paix, la justice, l’égalité des sexes, l’inclusion, la nutrition, l’éducation et la santé. Ces ressources facilitent l’élaboration de politiques, stratégies et interventions efficaces pour la transformation des systèmes agricoles et alimentaires.
· Resources on systems approaches and tools for identifying the root causes of inefficiencies and sustainability challenges in agricultural and food systems—considering trade-offs and interconnections with sectors such as trade, finance (particularly rural and microfinance), infrastructure, energy, governance, peace, justice, gender equality, inclusion, nutrition, education, and health. These resources aid in developing effective policies, strategies, and interventions for transforming agricultural and food systems:
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
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Posté le 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
Posté le 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
Posté le 10/02/2025
Chers tous,
Un grand merci encore à Serdar pour sa contribution perspicace et stimulante la semaine dernière.
Cette semaine, concentrons-nous sur le deuxième point concernant l’Efficacité des Cadres Réglementaires, en répondant notamment aux questions directrices suivantes :
Nous attendons avec intérêt vos réflexions et contributions, ainsi que toute ressource utile illustrant vos idées, y compris des approches pouvant servir de référence, être adoptées ou adaptées selon les besoins.
Cordialement,
Mireille Totobesola
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Posté le 05/02/2025
Cher Serdar,
Merci pour vos contributions précieuses. Je partage votre avis selon lequel l’évaluation de l’efficacité des politiques exige une approche globale, intégrant les impacts économiques (qui influencent les incitations, notamment pour les petits producteurs et leurs organisations), les impacts sociaux (essentiels pour la réussite à long terme) et, en dernier lieu, les impacts environnementaux.
Je souhaite inviter d'autres contributions des participants, en particulier ceux directement impliqués dans la mise en œuvre et l’évaluation du Règlement de l’UE sur la Déforestation (EUDR), tels que les représentants de la World Cocoa Foundation. Merci de partager les approches que vous utilisez, les indicateurs que vous prenez en compte (et leur justification), les défis rencontrés et la manière dont vous envisagez de les surmonter avec les parties prenantes tout au long des chaînes de valeur et des systèmes de production.
Pour ceux qui souhaitent approfondir le sujet, je recommande la lecture de l’ÉVALUATION D’IMPACT figurant dans le Document de Travail des Services de la Commission, disponible dans notre liste de ressources. Ce document décrit les efforts visant à réduire les risques de déforestation et de dégradation des forêts liés aux produits mis sur le marché de l’UE. Il accompagne la proposition de règlement sur la mise à disposition sur le marché de l’UE (et à l’exportation) de certains produits liés à la déforestation, ainsi que l’abrogation du règlement (UE) n° 995/2010. Vous pouvez y accéder ici :
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0326&qid=1727163336725
Le document présente plusieurs options politiques. La section 6 détaille leurs impacts environnementaux, économiques et sociaux.
J’attends avec intérêt d’autres contributions qui nous aideront à développer des cadres efficaces, réalisables et pertinents pour l’évaluation des politiques et réglementations.
Cordialement,
Mireille Totobesola
Experte en Systèmes Agricoles et Alimentaires Durables
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Posté le 03/02/2025
Bonjour à la communauté EvalForward !
Bienvenue à cette discussion passionnante sur l’évaluation des politiques et réglementations de transformation des systèmes agroalimentaires ! Nous sommes ravis de vous compter parmi nous.
Au cours de cette première semaine, nous vous invitons à partager vos réflexions et ressources sur les sujets suivants :
N’hésitez pas à partager vos idées, expériences ou toute ressource utile qui pourrait enrichir la discussion.
Nous attendons vos contributions avec impatience !
Cordialement,
Mireille Totobesola
France
Mireille TOTOBESOLA
Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture
Posté le 27/03/2025