Expert Groups

One function of SIANI is to facilitate interdisciplinary cross-sector Expert Groups on a variety of topics relevant to agriculture for development. The expected outputs of the Expert Groups are policy briefs and new collaborative project proposals. More information on the various Expert Groups and their activities will be available shortly! In the meantime, use the contact details below to get in touch with the Expert Group Coordinators to find out more about their activities. 

Biofuels and Food Security

SIANI's biofuel expert group was formed in late 2009 after a group of network members collaborated together on a study of the issues confronting rural development professionals in Africa in regards to biofuels. Discussions have been on-going since the completion of that original document "Biofuels: A Guide for the Confused" as to how the expert group could best reach out and stimulate membership participation in this area.

The group participated in organizing a seminar on Foreign Direct Investment in African Land hosted by SIANI in November 2010 and is currently planning a conference on the investment and policy implications of different categories of biofuel feedstocks scheduled for May 2012.

For more information please contact David Bauner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Francis Johnson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Biofuel: A Guide for the Confused

China as a Global Land Investor

The primary objective for this expert group on China's Global Land Investments (CLIG) is to identify the processes at play in China's land related outward investment drive, and to examine how these relate to Chinese and international policy. At this first stage, the group will focus on investments in African countries only, using other countries as comparative examples when appropriate.

As a starting point, the group will look at drivers related to food security, biofuels and business opportunities. Focus will be on identifying the actors involved, what their incentives for investing in land in African countries are and what short and long term consequences this has for the local communities which host the investments.

First Meeting

Report from 1st meeting

Marie Olsson's presentation

Kerstin Greppert's presentation

Second Meeting

Report from 2nd meeting

Sigrid Ekman's presentation

For more information please contact Marie Olsson at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or  Karl Hallding at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Agriculture-Sanitation

The aim of the AgriSan cluster group is to bring together the Swedish resource base active within the fields of reuse of wastewater fractions in agriculture and reuse-oriented sanitation. The cluster group will facilitate a platform where the Swedish resource base in agriculture, environment and sanitation can meet, exchange and synthesize the Swedish knowledge on reuse in an international context.

The starting point for the platform is the agricultural aspects and not the sanitation systems. Outputs include organized open meetings and seminars which will be announced on the SIANI-calendar as well as dissemination of relevant knowledge and the latest findings emanating from the Swedish resource base in the field of reuse of nutrients by using human excreta in agriculture to relevant target groups in Sweden and abroad.

For more information please contact Anna Norström at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Elisabeth Kvarnström at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Agrisan Cluster Group Presentation, October 2011

Dokumentation från seminarium växtnäring, Mars 2011 (Download)