About us

The Resilience Initiative for Food and Agriculture is a partnership between the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Australian National University (ANU) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

RIFA delivers science-backed, development-ready solutions for pressing agriculture and food security needs in Asia and the Pacific.

We bring together research, industry, community and government agencies interested in creating pathways for more resilient agri-food systems, particularly when faced with shocks and disruptions associated with climate, trade, supply and environmental risks.

RIFA aims to:

  • Gain better insights into food system resilience in the Asia-Pacific region
  • Deliver development-ready solutions based on excellent science and shaped by local contexts
  • Build capacity for resilience through country and regional partnerships
  • Implement and deliver strategic research and development projects in the area of agri-food systems resilience, making use of the interdisciplinary expertise of our partners.
  • Build a pipeline of talent and capability through postdoctoral research fellowships and graduate and postgraduate research opportunities for Australian and Asia-Pacific students.
  • Create project partnerships and exchange programs to support a new generation of agri-food systems development leaders in academia, government and private sector in the Asia-Pacific.

We welcome partnership opportunities, particularly with groups focused on global food systems and food and nutritional security innovations.