A decade of knowledge brokering for food security

Looking back at how the Food & Business Knowledge Platform contributed to more aligned and impactful food and agriculture policies and practices in the Netherlands and internationally

For the past decade, The Food & Business Knowledge Platform (F&BKP) In collaboration with its consortium members — AgriProFocus, The Broker, and the Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation, part of Wageningen University and Research— alongside diverse partners, has been a driving force in enhancing collaboration across the food and nutrition security field in the Netherlands and abroad.

Years after its establishment and with its successor, the Netherlands Food Partnership, almost three years into operation, it is time to reflect and look back on the remarkable journey of the F&BKP. This publication is dedicated to celebrating its accomplishments while diving into learnings and best practices for stakeholders engaged in the food and agriculture domain. It does so by spotlighting tangible successes sourced from past evaluations, news items, and interviews with key stakeholders specifically spoken to for this purpose.

At the heart of this celebration lies the pioneering knowledge brokering approach of the F&BKP, which played an important role in fostering collaboration and strengthening partnerships within the ever-evolving landscape of food and nutrition security. By dissecting the methodologies and activities employed by the F&BKP, our aim is to unearth invaluable insights and best practices essential for continuing advancement of the food and nutrition security field.

This pioneering knowledge brokering approach facilitated a shared, forward-looking food and business knowledge agenda through transdisciplinary research and knowledge generation. It not only strengthened existing networks but also enhanced knowledge sharing, exchange, and collaboration among the Dutch Diamond Actors — government, research, civil society, and the private sector — while fostering connections with counterparts in the Global South.

This publication shows how the fresh ways that the F&BKP has used to connect research and practice for knowledge and innovation uptake among policymakers and practitioners have had a lasting impact on shaping the Dutch contribution to strengthening global food security. The platforms’ legacy and experience were invaluable in shaping the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), which continues to facilitate and strengthen collaborative efforts for food system transformation.