This report, co-developed by Biovision, IPES-Food and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), zooms in on the all-important financial flows in food system research to sub-Saharan Africa, with a view to understanding more about the limitations in current trends to unlock sustainable transitions and where the opportunities lie for sparking agroecological transition.

From the Green Revolution onwards, international development agencies, governments, philanthropic organisations and research institutes have invested heavily in agricultural development in the Global South. The present study seeks to answer the following questions: Where does agriculture research for development (AgR4D) funding go? What agricultural development trends are funded over others? Is agroecology overlooked? How can we make a shift? The report concludes with 6 recommendations and specific steps for decision-makers to contribute to sustainable food systems through research for development.