Rikolto is an independent Belgian nongovernment organization (NGO) with more than 40 years of experience in partnering with farmer organizations and food chain actors across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

The incredible variety of food on our plates is not to be taken for granted. To keep up with the ever-growing world population in a scenario of a rapidly changing climate, the food sector needs more stable supply chains to provide affordable food for all, today and tomorrow. This requires fundamental changes at various levels in food systems.

The absence of proven pathways of change characterizes many areas in the food system. To meet this challenge, Rikolto experiments on different levels with the purpose of deepening its understanding of how to bring about transformational changes. Rikolto aims to foster innovation across the entire agri-food value chain to mainstream sustainable and inclusive business models. Its focus includes connecting farmers with innovators in the value chain, developing mechanisms of trust and transparency in the value chain, and empowering farmer groups. Through this approach, Rikolto aims to future-proof food systems, encourage climate-smart practices, build effective commodity platforms, and develop food-smart city policies.

This Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC) and East Asia Department (EARD) joint brown bag seminar introduced Rikolto’s approach towards sustainable food systems and explore potential areas and pathways of collaboration with ADB.

This learning event is part of the ADB Sustainable Food Webinar Series that offers a platform to discuss, share knowledge and experiences, and find out solutions and best practices that can help developing members countries build sustainable and resilient food systems and enable them to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and future disruptions.