EVENTS
The Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Initiative brings together global stakeholders to tackle the most pressing challenges in agricultural productivity. Our signature event, the annual GAP Report launch, highlights key insights and solutions for agricultural productivity growth. Throughout the year, we host webinars, workshops, and side events at leading global forums, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and farmers. We also support our GAP Partners by amplifying their work at key events worldwide. Join us to engage with the global agricultural community and drive innovation for sustainable agricultural productivity growth.
2025 GAP Report Launch
Join us for the unveiling of the 2025 Global Agricultural Productivity Report™, ``The Next Frontier: From Plateaus to Progress in Agricultural Productivity Growth``, highlighting new research and insights on meeting the growing and evolving demands on agricultural systems. The launch will feature a panel discussion of interesting people, a new and exciting policy lab, and the chance to engage with agricultural leaders from around the world. Date: October 1, 2025 Location: Chicago, IL
Stay informed about the 2025 GAP Report launch
June 9-13, 2025
Kigali, Rwanda
The African Conference on Agricultural Technology (ACAT) 2025 will take place from June 9-13, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda. This premier event, co-hosted by the Government of Rwanda and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), will focus on “NextGen Ag-Tech Solutions for Africa’s Farmers.” ACAT 2025 will bring together agricultural researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore cutting-edge solutions that enhance agricultural productivity. Engage in transformative discussions, innovative demonstrations, and networking opportunities designed to drive sustainable agricultural growth across the continent. Visit our exhibition booth, co-hosted with Sasakawa Africa Foundation!
August 31-September 5, 2025
Dakar, Senegal
The Africa Food Systems Forum, taking place from August 31-September 5, 2025, is a premier gathering of public and private sector leaders, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and youth champions dedicated to transforming food systems across the continent. Hosted under the leadership of H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, President of the Republic of Senegal, this year’s forum will focus on the theme: “Africa’s Youth Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.”
September 21-28, 2025
New York City, New York, USA
Climate Week NYC 2025 is the largest annual climate event of its kind, taking place from September 21-28, 2025. Organized by the Climate Group in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and the City of New York, this week-long event will feature over 900 activities and sessions, both in-person and online. Climate Week NYC brings together influential leaders from business, government, academia, and civil society to drive the transition to a sustainable future. Engage in thought-provoking discussions, explore innovative solutions, and network with key stakeholders committed to accelerating climate action.
Bridging Innovation, Policy, and Practice for Sustainable Productivity Growth
Date: April 17-18, 2025
Location: Virginia Tech, Arlington, VA
Sponsored by the OECD Cooperative Research Programme for Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems and hosted by the GAP Initiative, the workshop brought together international experts, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders for dynamic discussions and collaborative problem-solving to bridge the gap between research and innovation for agricultural productivity growth. As global productivity gains slow, urgent action is needed to integrate new technologies and research into effective policies and real-world applications.
Exploring the Agricultural Productivity Gap
Date: January 30, 2025
Location: Online
On January 30, 2025, GrowCanada and the GAP Initiative hosted a webinar to present the findings of the 2024 Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report™. The event featured a tailored analysis of productivity growth trends in Canada and a moderated discussion on Canada’s role in addressing the productivity gap.
The webinar explored the widening gap between current agricultural productivity and the levels needed to sustainably meet global food demand by 2050, emphasizing the importance of scalable, high-impact agricultural innovations. Experts discussed Canada’s agricultural productivity growth, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The panel included industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers who shared insights on strategies to enhance productivity and the role of Canada in global agricultural innovation.
FAO World Food Forum 2024
Date: October 14-18, 2024
Location: FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy
The World Food Forum 2024 took place from October 14 to 18 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, and online. This flagship event brought together global experts, young changemakers, investors, and visionary leaders to create new pathways for a sustainable, inclusive, and food-secure future.
The GAP Initiative hosted a side event, “Off the Shelf: Youth Entrepreneurship for Innovation Scaling,” on October 16, 2024. This interactive roundtable discussion, led by students from Virginia Tech and Penn State, explored how youth can play a pivotal role in getting food systems solutions “off the shelf” and “into the field” through scalable, commercially viable enterprises. Topics included opportunities for identifying and licensing food systems solutions, mentorship and career development, financing, and barriers to youth entrepreneurship, with a focus on gender, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
2024 GAP Report Launch
Date: October 3, 2024
Location: National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
The 2024 GAP Report™ launch event took place on October 3, 2024, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Hosted by Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Global, the event spotlighted The 2024 GAP Report™ “Powering Productivity – Scaling High Impact Bundles of Proven & Emerging Tools.” featured insights from partner organizations on innovative bundles of tools, science-based policies, socio-economic interventions, and dissemination pipelines that drive agricultural productivity growth. Attendees engaged with leading experts, policymakers, and industry leaders through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and fireside chats, exploring successful strategies for bridging the gap between research and widespread adoption of productivity-enhancing technologies.
Contact the GAP Initiative
For information about upcoming events or to inquire about partnership opportunities, please contact the GAP Initiative team. We welcome collaboration with organizations and individuals interested in advancing global agricultural productivity.