Connecting the dots - partnerships in action

What are the keys to successful partnerships in the agrofood sector? How can we start partnerships and contribute collectively to food and nutrition security, employment and innovation. During this workshop at the Agrofood Fair in Lagos, Nigeria, Netherlands Food Partnership shared lessons learned, compelling stories and upcoming opportunities for support of partnerships relevant for companies, experts, innovators, farmers, government officials and others.

Programme 13.30 - 14.30 hrs

• Opening and welcome - Ms. Inge Tenniglo, Dutch Agricultural Counsellor Nigeria 
• Introduction Diamond Approach and lessons learned - Mr. Ivo Demmers, CEO of Netherlands Food Partnership
• Interactive sharing of best practices  - with audience
• Panel discussion on partnerships with: 
  • Mr. Tien Hoang      - RVO (Dutch Enterprise Agency)
  • Ms. Aline Mugisho - Youth in Agribusiness - IITA
  • Mr. Ilesanmi Pupa  - Collaborative Seed Partnership Nigeria - The Netherlands - Sahel Consult
• Wrap up and closing - Mr. Ivo Demmers, CEO of Netherlands Food Partnership

Background

Netherlands Food Partnership connects and supports Dutch, international and low- and middle-income organisations to transform food systems together. Through our initiatives and support we bring together people and knowledge, and help make food systems more economically, socially and environmentally
sustainable.

We aspire to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, by learning and working with private sector, knowledge institutes, NGOs, government and financial institutions on effective solutions. Always using a food systems lens to identify those aspects of the system where we can have the most impact. Our
current work focuses on a variety of sectors and themes, such as dairy, horticulture, alternative proteins, food losses, seed, food systems finance and salinity.

Examples of successful partnerships can be found in value chains; in bringing innovations from the lab to practice or setting up joint training and capacity building. Often these partnerships consist of multiple stakeholders of mixed backgrounds and nationalities: businesses, governments, knowledge institutes, farmers, civil society, investors, consultants, banks and others. Also partners from youth, minorities and the informal sector are increasingly included in these partnerships as diversity is key to create a lasting contribution and impact for health, nature and the economy.