Researching solutions to climate-related food and economic loss in the Pacific
PASS-CR scholar Christian-Yves Amato-Ali is teaming advocacy with agricultural innovation in pursuit of Pacific climate solutions.
Christian is studying a Master of Science in Climate Change at the University of the South Pacific, where he is focused on Taro system innovation through Conservation Agriculture based Sustainable Intensification (CASI).
Christian’s research centres on reducing food loss in Taro farming systems in Tonga, which contributes to Conservation agriculture for transformation in the Pacific – an ACIAR initiative that aims to enhance the productivity, sustainability and resilience of agri-food systems in the Pacific.
Addressing climate impacts through agricultural research
Christian expressed his gratitude for being selected as one of three inaugural recipients of the ACIAR Future Thinkers’ Awards for Pacific Climate Resilience, acknowledging the support and sacrifices of his family, and his faith, that helped him excel academically. He believes that dedicated research and capacity building are crucial in addressing global challenges, especially in the field of agriculture, where innovative solutions are needed to tackle food insecurity and environmental degradation. “This achievement was not possible without the sacrifices made by my mother, grandmother and immediate family in supporting me throughout this journey and pushing me to excel in all my endeavours and to achieve all that I put my mind to”, he said.
Launched in 2022, the Future Thinker’s Awards program offers PASS-CR scholars the opportunity to integrate a climate change component into their higher degree research and to deepen their understanding of how climate change affects Pacific food systems.
Christian evaluates effective agricultural methods with the aim of reducing food loss.
With the Future Thinkers’ Award, he aims to strengthen farmers' perspectives on food chain systems by providing them with a platform to share their knowledge and experiences, and by examining the regional landscape of both on-farm and postharvest management to combat food loss.
Christian’s Future Thinkers’ research study looks at food loss across the whole value system. It then examines each stage, from on-farm to postharvest, to see how reducing food loss through system innovation would improve farming systems' climate resilience. “By addressing weaknesses in the supply chain, food loss will be reduced, and farmers will benefit from the gains, both as improved income as well as improved environment processes.” In addition to the economic and environmental benefits that would arise from reducing food loss, farmers should also gain valuable funds that can be put back into their production cycles, strengthening their value chain and providing them with resilience to not only climate hazards but any financial hazards that may come down the line.
Christian’s Future Thinkers’ Award has a strong emphasis on capacity building and collaboration. As part of his award, he will be participating in internships in Australia and Samoa, which will allow him to expand the scope of his research project. Christian says “by first identifying food loss sources and then comparing and contrasting the different value chain systems across Samoa and Australia, I would be able to pick out which methods are more effective in terms of reducing food loss and whether or not they can be applied in different physical environments.”
Investing in Climate Resilience for the Pacific agricultural research sector
By supporting specialised research projects, the Future Thinkers’ Awards are designed to help awardees develop valuable climate research and leadership skills that can lead them to access additional climate funding and drive positive change throughout their research careers.
Christian and fellow awardees with Veronica Doerr, ACIAR Research Program Manager for Climate Climate.
Capacity building is at the heart of the PASS-CR program and woven into all aspects of the Future Thinkers’ Awards program, beginning with the application process.
Applicants participated in a workshop series to learn the principles and practice of climate research as it applies to agriculture, and then developed their research concepts in one-on-one mentoring sessions.
Following an award ceremony in Fiji, participants were also treated to a workshop led by ACIAR’s Research Program Manager for Climate Change, Veronica Doerr.
Taking Pacific climate research to the world stage
Alongside building a strong academic research profile, Christian has also gained recognition as a Future Thinker for Pacific Climate Resilience through his dedication to climate advocacy and training.
In November, Christian represented Fiji as part of the Pacific delegation to the COP27 global climate conference in Egypt.
At COP27, Christian joined ACIAR’s Veronica Doerr and other eminent speakers from around the world for a panel discussion on How to implement food systems change to accelerate adaptation and mitigation in Pacific agriculture.
Christian participated in the 2022 Young Pacific Leaders TechCamp for Climate Action.
On the road to COP27, Christian participated in the 2022 Young Pacific Leaders TechCamp for Climate Action, hosted in New Zealand by the US Department of State.
The TechCamp connects climate scientists, activists, and science communicators from the United States and across the Pacific region. It represented another great opportunity to highlight Pacific agricultural research in international conversations about climate resilience and mitigation approaches.
Thinking of the future
Christian’s long-term ambition is to ensure that income gained through a reduction in food loss would improve farmer livelihood in terms of increasing resilience and decreasing vulnerability to economic and natural hazards. Secondary parameters of that would include improving level of poverty; social capital including social networks and connections; social beliefs, customs, and attitudes in response to risk or disasters; vulnerable residential settings and access to critical services such as transportation, power supply, water supply, and sanitation.
“By connecting climate change to issues regarding Agriculture, the Future Thinkers’ Awards bring a plethora of unique approaches to an already complex and growing problem offering an opportunity to explore solutions that will directly impact the future of food production, taking into account the effects of climate change on our agricultural system.”
Christian's research project, combined with the Future Thinkers’ Award, represents a remarkable milestone in the journey of innovation and collaboration, and a testament to the potential of dedicated research and capacity building in creating a better future for all.
