Dr. Valerien Pede is a senior agricultural economist and policy expert specializing in sustainable agricultural development, with a particular focus on rice-based systems. He currently serves as Head of the Transformative Policies and Investments (TPI) Unit at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Philippines, where he leads initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of agricultural policies and investments in advancing food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods.

His research focuses on impact evaluation, agricultural policy reform, and the adoption of agricultural technologies. He has contributed to studies assessing agricultural interventions across Asia and Africa, including Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Burundi, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Dr. Pede earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, specializing in Applied Spatial Econometrics, from Purdue University, and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He has published widely in leading peer-reviewed journals on agricultural economics, rural development, and regional science. His work underpins evidence-based policymaking and fosters innovation for more sustainable and inclusive global food systems.