Feeding the Future: Ismahane Elouafi on Soil, Science, and Survival

In this moving and timely episode, Der Große
Neustart welcomes Dr. Ismahane
Elouafi, Executive Managing Director
of CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural
research network—leading 9,000 scientists across 89 countries.


CGIAR’s research powers 60% of the world’s wheat and 50%
of its rice, and for over 50 years has shaped how the
world grows food—securing food systems and lifting
millions out of poverty.


We speak with Dr. Elouafi about what it takes to feed 10 billion
people in a world of climate shocks, shrinking
biodiversity, and deep global inequality—and how science
must be at the center of the solution.


She reminds us:


“Eight hundred million people go hungry today. With a 2-degree
rise in temperature, that number could rise by 180 million. With
a 4-degree rise? Two billion.”


Topics we explore:




Why soil, science, and
survival are inseparable




The launch of CGIAR’s new 2025–2030 global
research portfolio




The promise of gene editing—and why it
shows the need to democratize science




Why old models can’t guide our
future in a time of irreversible biodiversity
loss




The need for differentiated climate
policy, with stark global disparities in
consumption
Americans eat 128kg of
meat/year
Nigerians: 7kg,
Indians: less than 1kg




Why we must diversify beyond a
handful of crops: “There are 30,000 edible plants in the
world. Why are we relying on just a few?”




How investing in women farmers
unlocks food security and community transformation




Recognized by The New York Times as one
of 10 women redefining leadership, Dr.
Elouafi offers not only scientific clarity,
but a compelling call to action—grounded in public good, equity,
and dignity.


“We must design a system that benefits everyone—especially the
most vulnerable.”


More: CGIAR - World Economic Forum - Host