The process of food systems transformation (Plenary Video)

This week participants of the 2025 food systems e-course started the third module on the process of food systems transformation. The plenary session took place 19 March 2025 with presentations from two guest speakers followed by a discussion. The guest are Mutuma Muriuki, Founder and CEO of Eco Bristo Limited, and Dr. Ellen Mangnus, sociologist and postdoctoral researcher at Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

It was an insightful and inspiring plenary session facilitated by Herman Snel where Mutuma Muriuki shared his experiences on transforming agriculture through sustainable solutions, breaking system lock-ins through niche innovations, and governance challenges and opportunities that can make or break these innovations. Ellen addressed the externalisation effects of the European Green deal in the Global South with the cocoa industry in Ghana as an example. She dived deeper into the positive and negative effects of the Green Deal and tried to answer difficult questions such as: What knowledges do public authorities and relevant stakeholders use? What might be the place for other values and processes such as Degrowth, Ubuntu, cultural aspects and bottom-up approaches? What are the different effects of the use of digital technologies to the Green Deal in terms of compliance?

First Presentation

The first presentation is from Mutuma Muriuki. He is a pioneering agritech entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, dedicated to transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape through regenerative farming and innovative solutions. As the Founder and CEO of Eco Bristo Limited, he has introduced eco-friendly technologies like solar-powered insect traps and biochar biofertilizers, benefiting over 500 farmers by improving soil health and reducing chemical dependency.

In his role as Vice Chair of OFIMAK, he advocates for policies promoting organic fertilizers and collaborates with industry stakeholders to advance sustainable agricultural inputs in Kenya. With a background in horticulture and extensive experience across Africa, India, and Latin America, he specializes in agroecology, climate-smart farming, and project management. Mutuma’s vision is to scale Eco Bristo’s impact and build an ecosystem where agritech innovation drives food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Please watch his presentation below.

Second Presentation

The second presentation is from Dr. Ellen Mangnus. She is a sociologist and postdoctoral researcher affiliated with the Environmental Policy Group at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. Her research focuses on inclusive agribusiness models, food security, and sustainable food systems, with a particular interest in the Global South. In 2015, she earned her PhD from WUR, investigating farmer cooperatives and grain marketing traders in Mali.

Beyond academia, Dr. Mangnus contributes as an essayist, columnist, and journalist to platforms such as De Groene Amsterdammer and Vice Versa, writing on topics like the cultural significance of food and its role in social identity. She also engages in public discourse, serving as a moderator for debates and conferences on development cooperation themes. Please watch her presentation below.

Q&A and Discussion

After the presentations, Mutuma Muriuki and Dr. Ellen Mangnus discussed on various points raised from participants the facilitatir Herman Snel. Please watch the discussion below.