Thomas Daum is a research fellow at the Institute of Agricultural Science in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute) of the University of Hohenheim, Germany. His research focuses on agricultural development strategies that are sustainable from an economic, social and environmental perspective. He is part of the Program of Accompanying Research for Agricultural Innovation (PARI), which aims to contribute to sustainable agricultural growth and food and nutrition security in Africa and India. He is working as a freelance journalist for the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.

Regina Birner is Chair of Social and Institutional Change in Agricultural Development at the University of Hohenheim, Germany.  Her research focuses on the political economy of agricultural policy processes and on the role of governance and institutions in agricultural development, with a focus on smallholder farming. Regina Birner is a member of the Advisory Council on Agricultural Policy of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and a member of the Advisory Council on Bioeconomy. She has been consulting with international organizations, including the World Bank, FAO and IFAD.