Resource Persons

It is delivered by a team of international and local experts in agribusiness management and value chains.

Ms Michaela Cosijn

Team Leader and International Development Researcher at CSIRO

Over twenty years of experience designing, implementing and managing livelihood innovation projects to increase food security and reduce poverty. Her key skills are in (i) climate adaptation and proofing of programmes (ii) pro-poor value chain development in the agriculture and fisheries sector, with a focus on social inclusion and equity; (iii) agricultural innovation systems; (iv) establishing monitoring and evaluation systems; and (v) participatory planning processes. She has partnered with international government, research, private sector, donor, NGO and agricultural sector stakeholders.

Research Fellow, Climate Change Institute at the Australian National University

Steven has over twenty years of experience designing, implementing and managing research to examine opportunities for improved climate risk management, within primary industries, both in Australia and internationally. This work has involved working with a number of multi-national and global food producers, telecommunications, and other primary industries as well as small holder farming communities. Before joining ANU, Steve worked for the Agriculture and Food Business Unit of CSIRO, contributing to the Global Food Security in a Changing World research program, through value chain analysis to address key challenges, such as climate adaptation.

General Manager at FocusGroupGo

Over twenty years of experience designing, implementing and managing transformative agricultural and agribusiness research-for-development and human capability development projects and programs in Australia, South East Asia, the Pacific and China. A proven track record of group facilitation, problem solving, consultation and negotiation with international government, research, private sector, donor, NGO and agricultural sector stakeholders.

Research Group Leader, Climate Smart Agriculture and Value Chain Analytics at CSIRO

Lilly Lim-Camacho has over 15 years’ experience in value chain development and analysis. Her focus is on supporting industry in an era of global change, through applied systems approaches. She applies value chain analysis to address key challenges, such as climate adaptation, sustainable development and social inclusion. Lilly utilises strong science communication and engagement techniques in her research, working with a wide range of stakeholders both in the public and private sectors. She has conducted VCA globally, working with multinational corporations, NGOs and smallholder farming communities.

Research Fellow, The University of Queensland

Oleg Nicetic works for The University of Queensland as a Research Fellow on several ACIAR projects focusing on sustainable production systems and value chains in NW Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines. Oleg has been working in South East Asia for the last 15 years and has expertise in adaptive management of agricultural systems, communication for rural development, engagement with public and private institutions and facilitation of farmer organisations to access the higher-end market segments.

Senior Research Fellow, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland

Gomathy Palaniappan brings over 20 years of experience working with rural communities in agriculture at the grassroots level. Her focus is on engaging smallholder farmers to access markets and improve livelihoods. She applies social science research skills including participatory techniques and action research methodology to facilitate community development. She has worked for most of her career in the fields of extension, communication, community development, gender and food security.

General Manager at Foodlink Advocacy Co-operative

Currently the General Manager of Foodlink Advocacy Co-operative–a talent pool of agribusiness experts and practitioners with a common passion working towards poverty eradication—Anton is involved in various consultancy activities such as Value Chain Development for World Economic Forums’s Grow Asia partnership; technical advisor to agricultural cooperatives and organizations such as AgriCOOPh Federation; and provider of facilitation services for the public, private, and development sectors. He has over five years of involvement in the Inclusive Business space with much focus on agribusiness.

Agribusiness and Development Expert

Tiago Wandschneider is an economist with 25 years of experience in international development as project and team leader, researcher, technical advisor, analyst, and trainer. He has lived and worked in Mozambique and Vietnam, and has undertaken short-term assignments in 14 other countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Tiago has strong expertise in market research and value chain analysis and development. He has been actively involved in the development and delivery of the ACIAR-sponsored Agribusiness Master Class in Vietnam and Myanmar.

For more information about the Agribusiness Master Class